Printer having image correcting capability

ABSTRACT

A printer in which difference in color tone or contrast between a picture displayed on a display and a picture printed by the printer device is suppressed to a minimum. The display is preferably integrated with the printer. The printer includes an image data inputting unit for receiving input image information, e.g., by reading image data from a digital storage medium or from film, and providing digital image data based thereupon. Display outputting circuitry outputs an image signal corresponding to the digital image data to the display. A picture printing unit prints an image corresponding to the digital image data on a recording medium. A characteristics correction unit corrects a display setting prescribing display image properties of the display and a printing characteristics setting prescribing printing picture properties of the printing unit, so that color tone and/or contrast of the displayed and printed pictures are equalized. The printer also preferably includes circuitry for automatically correcting a tilt of a picture, e.g., tilt of an object in a photograph.

The present application is a division of application Ser. No.09/344,675, filed Jun. 25, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,831,755.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to printers, and moreparticularly, to a printer with image correcting capability in whichdifference in color tone or contrast between an image displayed on adisplay and an image printed by the printer is suppressed. Thisinvention also relates to a printer that automatically corrects the tiltof a picture with respect to its frame.

2. Description of the Related Art

A number of methods have hitherto been commonly used to print picturesfrom natural picture data derived from photographs, digital cameras,etc. A first such method entails connecting an input device forinputting picture data to a universal computer connected to a printer.Picture data read into the computer from the input device is processedin a predetermined fashion on the computer to generate picture-printingdata which is sent to the printer for printing. The input devices may beenumerated by, for example, a removable medium drive, such as arecording/reproducing apparatus for removable media; a NTSC (NationalTelevision System Committee) picture signal input substrate; a silverhalide photo film scanner; or, a digital still picture camera.

A second known printing method involves directly interconnecting aninput device, such as a scanner or digital still camera, to a printerwithout interposition of a computer. The printer is configured toreceive picture data directly from the input device and to derive apicture therefrom for printing.

First Printing Method

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a system for implementing theabove-noted first printing method is shown. The system is comprisedmainly of a personal computer 1001, a printer 1002 and an input device1003 Examples of input devices 1003 are as follows: a removable mediadrive (e.g., a disc drive for an optical disc as a CD-ROM or arewritable magneto-optical disc as an MD-DATA disc); camcorders and thelike for providing picture signals (including NTSC, PAL, RGB andS-terminal signal formats); digital still-picture cameras; scanners forsilver halide photo films (35 mm film or so-called APS film havingpicture-related magnetic information); and original read-out scanners.

Printer 1002 employs a printer head 1004 effecting actual printing and ahead driving circuit 1005 for driving the printer head 1004. Computer1001 is mainly comprised of an interface 1006 for entering picture datafrom the input device 1003, a data processing unit 1007 for processingthe picture data as picture-printing data, and a bi-directional printerinterface 1008 for outputting the picture printing data to printer 1002.Data processing unit 1007 includes a device driver, adapted to theseinput devices and which is configured for controlling printer 1002, andapplication software designed for inputting and processing the picturedata and to control the printer output. This software is configured toexecute data processing via the data processing unit 1007. Computer 1001further includes a display 1009, a command device 1010 such as a mouseor keyboard, and a picture memory 1011 (e.g., hard disc) for storage ofpicture data entered from the input device 1003. The input device 1003is connected to computer interface 1006, and the computer'sbi-directional printer interface 1008 is connected to printer 1002 tocomplete the connection.

During a printing operation, the following operations are executed. Theapplication software for computer 1001, as well as a device driverassociated with input device 1003, are activated to drive input device1003 via interface 1006. This enables picture data to be read from inputdevice 1003 and entered to computer 1001 via interface 1006. Based on auser command entered through command device 1010, the applicationsoftware executes picture editing processing on the picture data incomputer 1001. The editing may be accompanied by picture data processingperformed by data processing unit 1007.

If the picture editing processing desired by the user is executed, andthe picture to be printed is decided upon, the picture printingoperation is commenced. Specifically, the application software controlsthe printer driver (which is typically implemented in software) toconvert the processed picture data into printing data that can be outputto printer 1002. At this time, computer 1001 determines the status ofprinter 1002 via bi-directional printer interface 1008.

The thus generated printing data functions as a printer control command,and is sent out via bi-directional printer interface 1008 to printer1002. Printer 1002 then drives the print head 1004 by means of headdriving circuit 1005, based on the received printing data (printercontrol command) to form a printed picture on a recording medium.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a processing method as an exampleof data processing in the above-described operation. Slanted linesegments attached to data flow lines in FIG. 2 (and in other figuresherein) indicate that the data is 8 bit color data. RGB (red, green,blue) picture data input to a picture data inputting unit 1012 ofcomputer 1001, is routed to a picture data processing unit 1013 forprocessing, if necessary. The picture data is stored as a picture file1011 a in picture memory 1011 if need be. The RGB picture data is sentfrom the picture data processing unit 1013 to a printer driver 1014adapted to control the printer device 1002.

Printer driver 1014, which is typically implemented in software,consists mainly of an RGB-CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) converter 1015 forconverting RGB picture data into CMY printing picture data; a colorcorrection unit 1016 for occasionally correcting the color; a blackextraction unit 1017 for extracting black hue in addition to CMY; anoutput gamma correction/gradation correction unit 1018 for correctingcharacteristics of the printer device; and a sharpness correction unit1019 for edge processing, etc. The RGB picture data from picture dataprocessing unit 1013 is first converted into CMY printing data byconversion unit 1015 and subjected to color correction. Thecolor-corrected data is converted into printing data which may containblack hue. In FIG. 2, the black picture-printing data is indicated as K.The printing data is corrected for characteristics peculiar to theprinter 1002, and is sent out to printer 1002 after edge processing insharpness correction unit 1019 to sharpen the edges of objects in thepictures. If printer 1002 is embodied as a bi-level printer (e.g.,ink-jet) which reproduces a picture based on the presence or absence ofthe picture-printing dot, a convert-to-bi-level unit needs to beemployed in conjunction with sharpness correction unit 1019. Theconvert-to-bi-level unit is unnecessary if printer 1002 is realized by asublimation type printer that represents gradation withinpicture-printing dots.

Printer 1002 includes an output characteristics conversion unit 1020,the aforementioned head driving circuit 1005 and a printer head 1004.Characteristics conversion unit 1020 corrects output characteristics inaccordance with the state of the printer and also suppressesfluctuations attributable to the printer. The CMY printing data sentfrom printer driver 1014 to printer device 1002 is sequentiallyforwarded via the output characteristics conversion unit 1020 to headdriving circuit 1005 and to printer head 1004 for printing.

Second Printing Method

The above-noted second printing method will now be explained in detail.Referring to FIG. 3, a system for implementing this method includes aprinter 1022 and a digital still picture camera 1021 operating as aninput device to the printer. Camera 1021 is comprised of: a pictureimaging unit 1023 for imaging an object; a command device 1024, such asa shutter, for inputting an external command; a picture memory 1025 fortransient storage of an imaged picture; a picture data processing unit1026 for effecting required data processing; and, a display 1027 fordisplaying an imaged picture. Printer 1022 consists mainly of an outputcharacteristics conversion unit 1028 for correcting outputcharacteristics in accordance with the status of the printer, a headdriving circuit 1029 for driving a printer head 1030, and a printer head1030 for effecting actual printing.

The picture data can be transferred from digital still camera 1021 toprinter 1022 via a hardwire connection therebetween, or alternatively bya radio path using IR-DA or the like. The data transferred may be in theform of digital data signals or analog picture signals. To print hardcopies of the picture data, the following operations are carried out. Indigital still picture camera 1021, picture signals of an objectgenerated by a picture pickup unit 1023 are provided to picture dataprocessing unit 1026 in a state of image preparation, that is, beforethe user activates a shutter to start the imaging. For these picturesignals, picture data processing unit 1026 performs correctionprocessing to correct for characteristics of picture pickup unit 1023 orimaging conditions. The picture, thus corrected, is displayed on adisplay 1027 to permit the user to check the imaging range of the objectand the background etc. If an optical finder is provided in place of orin addition to display 1027, the user can make the above check usingthis optical finder.

The imaging operation is initiated by the user actuating a commanddevice 1024, such as a shutter. This causes picture data captured bypicture pickup unit 1023 and corrected by picture data processing unit1026 to be saved in picture memory 1025. Data compression may beperformed on the picture data by picture data processing unit 1026 toreduce the amount of data to be stored. If the picture saved in picturememory 1025 is to be printed, the user actuates the designated commanddevice 1024 for printing, such as a key, to start the printingoperation. Picture data processing unit 1026 then reads out pre-set,compressed picture data from picture memory 1025 and occasionallyexpands the picture data to prepare it for outputting to printer 1022.Depending on the interfacing system for camera 1021 and printer 1022,the data is transferred as digital or analog picture signals by a radiopath or over a wire. Printer 1022 converts the picture signals in theoutput characteristics conversion unit 1028 depending on the printingoutput conditions prevailing at the time of printing, and printing iseffected on a recording medium by a printer head 1030 driven by a headdriving circuit 1029.

The user can perform picture editing, working (e.g., adjustingbrightness, contrast, etc. of an image) and synthesis processing (e.g.,adding subtitles, etc.). To do this, the user inputs commands to digitalstill camera 1021 via the command device 1024, while checking thepicture(s) displayed on display device 1027. Theediting/working/synthesis processing is carried out by picture dataprocessing unit 1026.

FIG. 4 illustrates the data processing of the second printing method.The RGB picture data obtained in picture imaging unit 1023 of camera1021 is processed by picture data processing unit 1026 and held inpicture memory 1025. The processed RGB picture data is sent from picturedata processing unit 1026 via picture data outputting unit 1031 toprinter 1022. Printer 1022 has, in addition to the aforementioned outputcharacteristics conversion unit 1028, head driving circuit 1029 andprinter head 1030, an application similar to the printer driver 1014shown in FIG. 2. That is, printer 1022 includes a picture data inputtingunit 1032 to which picture data is entered from camera 1021; an RGB-CMYconverting unit 1033 for converting RGB picture data from input unit1032 into CMY picture data; a color correction unit 1034 foroccasionally correcting the color; a black extraction removal unit 1035for extracting black hue (designated as “K”) in addition to CMY; anoutput gamma and gradation correction unit 1036 for correcting picturedata in accordance with characteristics of the printer; and a sharpnesscorrection unit 1037 for edge processing.

The RGB picture data entering input unit 1032 is first converted intoCMY data and corrected for color. The picture data is then convertedinto printing data containing black; edge-processed, and corrected forprinter characteristics of the printer. In this state, the picture datais routed to the output characteristics conversion unit 1028. If theprinter is a bi-level printer, a convert-to-bi-level unit needs to beused in conjunction with sharpness correction unit 1037. If asublimation type printer is used, the convert-to-bi-level unit isunnecessary. In any case, the CMYK picture printing data is sequentiallysent via output characteristics conversion unit 1028 to head drivingcircuit 1029 and to printer head 1030 to effect printing.

The above-described first and second printing methods suffer from anumber of drawbacks. In the first method, it is necessary to connectseparate peripheral devices to a computer. The computer also needs to beequipped with disc drivers tailored to the peripheral equipment; thesedrivers are assembled into the computer by a laborious operation.Moreover, application software for performing processing operations suchas picture inputting, picture editing, etc. needs to be installed in thecomputer. In a laborious operation, the application software and devicedrivers need to be set so that the peripheral devices will be controlledby the application software. Further, separate application software forcontrolling the respective peripheral devices is required. Hence, theuser has to run plural application software programs and to transferpicture data therebetween, involving still more labor. Further, if adesk-top or tower type computer is used, a wide installment space isrequired for connecting the computer to the peripheral devices, anotherinconvenience.

Another limitation of the first printing method, as well as with thesecond printing method, is the resulting difference in the picturequality of the pictures printed by the printer and those displayed onthe input device display and/or computer monitor. The main difference inpicture quality is the difference in color tone and contrast between theprinted and displayed pictures. In order to diminish this effect, atechnique has been used in which the color tone of the displayed pictureand that of a printed picture are measured with a colorimeter and thesemeasured values are calorimetrically equated to each other. However,these measures are not fully satisfactory in that differences in colortone and contrast persist.

With the first printing method, multiple processing operations areexecuted by the application software on picture data. That is, thecomputer processor (CPU) sequentially reads out picture data from thepicture memory, sequentially executes the target operation on theread-out data and re-writes the processed picture data in the picturememory. These operations are repeatedly performed. Hence, at any giventime, the CPU is executing only one operation, which is not conducive tohigh speed processing. This problem is lessened by using a CPU whichaims to increase processing speed by exploiting a pipeline structure.The parallel operation in this pipeline structure is simply the functionof overlapping the consecutive process steps of the application softwareprogram just slightly by an amount corresponding to the number ofpipeline steps, such that essentially the pixel data of the picture dataare processed sequentially. The result is that, when executing thetarget processing, the larger the picture data size, the longer the timeneeded to complete the processing. As such, the more complex theprocessing contents are, the longer the time required for processing. Ifsuch processing is executed by the user with a universal computer, extratime is needed since the operator controls the start of variousoperations; until a particular operation is complete, the operator iskept waiting in the interim.

Depending on the processing contents, there are occasions wherein theuser sequentially changes the processing parameters and checks theresults to set optimum parameters. Since additional time is consumeduntil the processing for a sole parameter value comes to a close, itbecomes difficult for an operator to compare the processing results forthe respective parameters. This renders it difficult to set an optimumparameter value. This is a problem for both the first and secondprinting methods.

Moreover, with the first printing method it is possible to addapplication software for picture processing or to add certain functionsto the existing application software. However, with either of theseadditions, since the application software for picture processinginvolves data communication with the above-mentioned peripheral devices,the application software or the device driver has to be re-set. Also, adevice driver has to be assembled into the computer. In particular, ifthe application software for picture processing is universal, a varietyof setting operations have to be implemented in advance. The operationmethodology for this is complex, and therefore the desired processingcannot be easily performed.

In addition, in the above-mentioned software, the processing desired byan operator for a particular picture, such as editing, picture changing,synthesis, correction or printing, is executed on the basis of aspecified command from the user. As such, instructions need to be issuedsequentially for the picture being processed. To this end, the user hasto specify the values of variable parameters for the respectiveprocessing operations. Hence, the user needs to comprehend the meaningof the variable parameters in the respective operations, as well as thedegree of variation of the picture quality as a function of theseparameters. The user also has to be well apprised of the method of usingthe application software.

In the application software, which has universal input/output functionsin order to operate with common picture input devices and a majority ofprinter types, and which has the universal function for handlingpictures at large without specifying the picture data to be handled, themethod of using the application software, contents of the functions orthe operating methods are difficult to comprehend, rendering itdifficult for laypersons to use.

Further, the application software simply deals with the structure of thepicture contents of the picture under the instructions of the user. Ifthe user holds an image pickup device in one hand during imaging apicture such that a main portion of the resulting picture is offset ortilted to one side, the user has to correct the tilt for each picture inquestion. For example, if an ordinary user picks up an image of astraight road extending to the horizon or a horizontal line, as he orshe holds a 35 mm silver halide film camera, there are occasions whereinthe object is imaged with the camera at a tilted position due topersonal habits of the user. The result is that the main portion of apicture on an imaged film is inclined with respect to the picture frame.As a result, if the object is displayed on a monitor or printed on aprinter, an undesirable tilted image is produced. Although it may bepossible for application software to be added to correct the tiltedimage, the aforementioned difficulties are present if applicationsoftware is used. Therefore, with the common user not well trained inthe method of operating the application software, only a tilteddisplayed image or a tilted print can be obtained.

As another example, if a non-expert is taking a photograph of a personusing a 35 mm silver halide film camera, the usual tendency is for theface of the photographed person to be placed at the center of thefinder. Thus, if the imaged picture is directly printed, the face of theperson is placed at the center of the print, and the upper part of theprint becomes unnecessary surrounding space. This means that it isdifficult to realize a printed picture with well-balanced composition.

In the above-described second printing method, the possible processingoperations such as picture inputting, editing,picture-changing/selecting, synthesis, correction or printing depend onthe function of the input device, but the processing abilities of theinput device are typically limited. The input device also needs to beprovided with a function that allows it to be directly coupled to aprinter. Moreover, the possible processing differs from one input deviceto another, such that the operating sequence is modified from device todevice, making it non-user friendly. Also, current technology still doesnot permit a silver halide photo film scanner to be used as an inputdevice with the second printing method. Further, the input device andthe printer are interconnected in a one-to-one correspondence withcurrent technology, whereby it is impossible to process and printpicture data from plural input devices.

In the second printing method, since the possible processing operationssuch as picture inputting, editing, working, synthesis, correction orprinting depend on the function of the input device, there are occasionswherein the user cannot perform the desired processing. It is alsodifficult to add new processing functions or to add a new function to aset of existing processing functions. Additionally, similar to theabove-described first printing method, the operation of the processor(CPU) in the input device sequentially reading out picture data in thepicture memory, sequentially performing the target processing on theread-out picture data and re-writing the processed picture data in thepicture memory, has to be performed repeatedly, thus lengthening thetime to complete the processing.

Also, with this method, it is difficult to perform the processing forarranging the picture contents in a satisfactory condition. Even if thisis possible, it is up to the user to make the corrections sequentiallyfor each picture in question.

Moreover, as in the first printing method, the input device generallydoes not have a picture tilt-correction function. Thus, in either of theabove-described methods, it is difficult for the user to correct theoffset or the tilt of the picture contents in each picture, rendering itdifficult to realize a printed picture with a satisfactory orientationof the main portion of the picture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a printerdevice which permits various operations to be carried out easily, whichcan be handled easily, which can minimize the difference in contrast orcolor tone of a picture displayed on a display device from that of apicture printed by the printer device, which permits printing of apicture having an equivalent visual picture quality and in which theprocessing operations such as editing, working, synthesis or correctioncan be completed in a shorter time and addition of processing contentspartially or wholly is facilitated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a printerdevice which permits various operations to be carried out easily, whichcan be handled easily and which enables a printed picture of asufficient composition of the main portion of the picture to be obtainedeasily.

It is general object of the present invention to provide an improvedprinting device.

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer thatincludes: a picture data inputting unit for receiving input imageinformation and providing digital image data based thereupon; displayoutputting circuitry for outputting at least one image signalcorresponding to the digital image data to a display means; a printingunit for printing an image corresponding to the digital image data on arecording medium; and a characteristics correction unit for correctingat least one of a display setting prescribing display image quality inthe display means and a printing characteristics setting prescribingprinting image quality in the printing unit.

The characteristics correction unit is preferably configured to correctthe display setting in accordance with the printing characteristicssetting, and vice versa. As a result, the displayed image and theprinted image can be equalized in terms of color, contrast, etc.

Preferably, the display means comprises a display that is physicallyintegrated on a main body of the printer. Further, the picture datainputting unit may include, among other things, a film input device bywhich an image stored on a roll of film is read and converted to thedigital image data.

In another aspect of the invention, circuitry for implementing parallelprocessing of image data is provided to speed up the image dataprocessing operation. To this end, there is provided a printerincluding: an image data inputting unit for receiving input imageinformation and providing digital image data based thereupon; a printingunit for printing an image corresponding to the digital image data on arecording medium; and an image processing unit having plural image datacalculating units for performing at least one of editing, working,synthesizing and correcting processing on the digital image data priorto printing thereof by the printing unit. The processing is performed inparallel by the plural image data calculating units. Each of the imagedata calculating units may perform a processing operation on a differentportion of a single viewable image corresponding to the digital imagedata.

In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a printingsystem including: an image verifying unit for verifying image contentsof digital image data by extracting and checking a predetermined imagecomponent which is at least one of a vertical image component and ahorizontal image component, the vertical component being approximatelyin the vertical direction relative to an image frame of the digitalimage data, the horizontal component being approximately in thehorizontal direction relative to the image frame. The image verifyingunit verifies an angle between at least one of the extracted imagecomponents and the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of theimage frame. An input position adjustment unit generates the digitalimage data in a picture data inputting unit by rotating and moving aninputting position for input analog image signals on the basis of theverified angle. A printing unit prints an image corresponding to thedigital image data on a recording medium.

The printing unit, the picture data inputting unit, the input positionadjustment unit, and the image verifying unit are all preferablyphysically integrated into a unitary body.

In still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a printingsystem that includes: an image verifying unit for verifying imagecontents of digital image data by extracting and checking apredetermined image component which is at least one of a vertical imagecomponent and a horizontal image component, the vertical component beingapproximately in the vertical direction relative to an image frame ofthe digital image data, the horizontal component being approximately inthe horizontal direction relative to the image frame, the imageverifying unit verifying an angle between at least one of the extractedimage components and the vertical direction or the horizontal directionof the image frame; an image data calculating unit for generatingadjusted digital image data by rotating and moving the digital imagedata relative to the image frame on the basis of the verified angle; anda printing unit for printing an image corresponding to the rotated andmoved digital image data on a recording medium. With this printingsystem, the image data calculating unit may generate the adjusteddigital image data by controlling the image contents of a slicedpredetermined portion of the digital image data on the basis of theverified angle.

In still another aspect of the invention, a printing system comprises:an image verifying unit for determining whether or not predeterminedimage contents of digital image data are provided in a specified rangeof the digital image data; an image rearranging unit for rearranging thedigital image data by controlling the predetermined image contentsprovided in the specified range so as to be comprised within aprescribed region; and a printing unit for printing an imagecorresponding to the rearranged digital image data on a recordingmedium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description, given by way of example and notintended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will best beappreciated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which likereference numerals denote like elements and parts, wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a conventional system and method forprinting picture data;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating data flow in a conventional picturedata printing method;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a conventionalpicture data printing method;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing still another example of theconventional picture data printing method;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a printer deviceaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of desirable color regeneration ona CIE color coordinates;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a CIEL*a*b* uniform color spacecoordinate system;

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a plane of the uniform color spacecoordinate system;

FIGS. 9A–9C are schematic diagrams illustrating a method for colorconversion;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the structure of a printer deviceaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of a data processingcircuit of a printer device according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing another example of a dataprocessing circuit of a printer device according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing still another example of a dataprocessing circuit of a printer device according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram showing an example of data processing flowof a printer device according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram showing a data processing flow in a dataprocessing portion of a printer device according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram showing another example of data processingflow of a printer device according to the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing an example of a picture displayed ona display device or on an external monitor of a printer device accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing another example of a picturedisplayed on a display device or on an external monitor of a printerdevice according to the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a portion of the schematic operation in aprinter device according to the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart continuing to FIG. 19 and showing a portion ofthe schematic operation in a printer device according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart continuing to FIG. 20 and showing a portion ofthe schematic operation in a printer device according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating the golden section;

FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate an example of a picture arranging position;

FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate other examples of a picture arrangingposition;

FIG. 25 schematically illustrates still another example of a picturearranging position;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing an embodimentof a structure of a film reading unit;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged schematic perspective view, similar to FIG. 26,showing an embodiment of a structure of a film reading unit;

FIG. 28 illustrates an example of a picture read from a film readingunit;

FIG. 29 shows a picture of which a re-reading range is set;

FIG. 30 shows a re-read picture;

FIG. 31 depicts an example of correspondence between pre-set picturecontents and specified and prescribed regions;

FIG. 32 depicts another example of correspondence between pre-setpicture contents and specified and prescribed regions;

FIG. 33 shows still another example of correspondence between pre-setpicture contents and specified and prescribed regions;

FIGS. 34A–34C are schematic illustrations showing an example of themethod for modifying the pre-set picture contents so that these willenter a prescribed region;

FIG. 35 is a schematic view showing another example of the method formodifying the pre-set picture contents so that these will enter aprescribed region;

FIG. 36 is a circuit diagram showing the structure of a printer deviceaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a data processingcircuit of a printer device according to the present invention;

FIG. 38 is a circuit diagram showing another example of a dataprocessing circuit of a printer device according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 39 is a circuit diagram showing still another example of a dataprocessing circuit of a printer device according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 40 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the data processingflow in a printer device according to the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a circuit diagram showing data processing flow in a dataprocessing portion of a printer device according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 42 is a circuit diagram showing another example of the dataprocessing flow in a printer device according to the present invention;

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing an example of a picture displayed on adisplay device of a printer device according to the present invention oron an external monitor;

FIG. 44 is a schematic view showing another example of a picturedisplayed on a display device of a printer device according to thepresent invention or on an external monitor;

FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing a portion of the schematic operation in aprinter device according to the present invention;

FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing another portion of the schematicoperation in a printer device according to the present invention;

FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing still another portion of the schematicoperation in a printer device according to the present invention; and

FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing yet another portion of the schematicoperation in a printer device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 5, a first embodiment of a printer, 21, in accordancewith the present invention is illustrated in a block diagram. Briefly,printer 21 is designed to convert externally supplied picture data oranalog picture signals into an image which is displayed on a display 15and also printed on a printing medium by a picture printing unit 3. Theprinter includes a printing properties correction unit 4 that correctsthe display settings prescribing the display image quality, as well asthe printer settings prescribing the printing image quality. The displaysettings correction can be made responsive to the printing settingscorrection, and vice versa. Printer 21 also includes processing means toautomatically straighten a tilted input picture.

A detailed description of the components and operation of printer 21will now be presented. Printer 21 includes an image data inputtingsection 1, comprising a picture inputting unit 7 and a picture datainput/output (I/O) unit 27, for receiving input image information in theform of digital picture data or analog picture signals. The imageinformation is received from an external storage device 13 such as adigital still camera 14, a removable medium 17 such as a tape or floppydisc, photographic film 18, or a host computer 19. Depending on thedesign of printer 21, the capability of interfacing with one or more ofthese types of external devices can be included. Accordingly, pictureinputting unit 7 includes one or more of a picture data interfacing unit9 for receiving image data from digital still picture camera 14; aremovable media driving unit 10 for reading data and/or analog picturesignals from removable media 17; a film reading unit 11 for scanningphotographic film 18 and generating image data therefrom; and a computerinterfacing circuit 12 for receiving image data from host computer 19.Picture data I/O unit 27 converts digital image data or analog imagesignals provided by picture inputting unit 7 to appropriate format forapplication to an image data processing unit 5 of picture processingunit 6. If analog picture signals are received, an analog to digitalconverter (not shown) within picture inputting unit 7 or within I/O unit27 converts the analog signals to digital image data for application topicture processing unit 6.

The digital picture data supplied to picture processing unit 6,hereafter referred to as “first” digital image data, are occasionallyedited, worked on (e.g., to adjust brightness or contrast of thecorresponding image), synthesized or corrected in image data processingunit 5, to thereby provide processed digital image data (hereafterreferred to as “second” digital image data). The first and seconddigital image data (or alternatively, just the second digital imagedata) are output via characteristics correction unit 4 to display 15 andpicture signal output port 16 and/or to picture printing unit 3 todisplay and/or print a picture. Characteristics correction unit 4 isconsidered to be formed by a display processor 22, a video signalprocessor 23 and a print output processor 24.

Characteristics correction unit 4 corrects at least one data value ofthe first and/or second digital picture data to provide characteristiccorrected data (hereafter referred to as “third” digital image data). Itis noted here that reference continues to be made to the first imagedata distinct from the second image data, because in some cases, thefirst data is not edited, etc. by data processing unit 5, and is insteadsupplied in its original form to characteristics correction unit 4 forcorrection therein. Note also that a predetermined range of an entireportion of the first or second digital picture data can be corrected bycharacteristics correction unit 4 into the third digital image data.Examples of a range of image data are: one or more rows or columns ofdata; a pixel block of a predetermined size; or a single picture of dataamong many pictures. Thus, correction unit 4 may operate on one range ofimage data at a time.

Printer 21, by virtue of characteristics correction unit 4, corrects thedisplay characteristics settings of display 15 (and/or of an externalmonitor connected to output port 16) prescribing the display picturequality. This display setting correction is done in accordance withprinting characteristics settings prescribing the picture quality inpicture printing unit 3. Therefore, a change in printing settings willbe mirrored by a change in display settings. Similarly, correction unit4 corrects the printing settings of printing unit 3 in accordance withthe display settings of display 15. The result is that the displayedpicture in display 15 (and/or the monitor) and the printed picture inprinting unit 3 are represented as being of visually equivalent picturequality.

Picture processing unit 6 is preferably configured with parallelprocessing hardware to speed up the image processing operations. Thatis, picture processing unit 6 preferably contains plural image dataprocessing elements for effecting predetermined editing, working,synthesizing and correcting operations on the digital image data. Eachof the image data processing elements (hereafter, “processing elements”)may be designed to perform the same, multiple processing operations.(The picture data processing elements will also be referred to hereininterchangeably as picture data calculating circuits. Also, the terms“image” and “picture” are used herein interchangeably.) A predefinedportion of each of the respective processing elements can be adapted tocorrespond to a pre-set range (e.g., pixel block, column, etc.) of thedigital image data. This allows multiple blocks of data to be processedsimultaneously and in the same manner by each of the processingelements. For instance, multiple data blocks may be simultaneouslyprocessed for editing at a given instant of time.

In an alternative configuration, each of the image data processingelements can be allocated to perform a different processing function.These function-specific processing elements can likewise be broken downinto different portions, with each portion operating on one range ofimage data at any given time to achieve parallel processing. Thus, theparallel processing in this configuration is performed by the differentprocessing elements, each of which is performing a different type ofprocessing operation. The parallel processing with either of the abovetwo approaches can significantly shorten the overall image processingtime, thereby reducing the time during which the user is kept waiting.

The overall processing time can be reduced even further if theprocessing contents of the plural processing elements are changedbetween the above-described three patterns (i.e., one or more columns, ablock of data, or an entire screen of data). With this approach, anoptimum pattern can be utilized for the image data at hand, therebylessening the overall processing time.

To facilitate the parallel processing operations, picture processingunit 6 preferably includes a picture data transfer unit (considered partof data processing unit 5) for inputting and outputting the digitalpicture data in a predetermined sequence to and from the plural imagedata processing elements. It is also desirable to deploy a controller inthe picture processing unit 6 (e.g., as part of processing unit 5) forcontrolling the respective processing elements. The controller may beadapted to control the processing elements comprehensively, or, separatecontrollers may be provided for the processing elements to affordindividual control of each. Preferably, control software with variablecontents is provided for the controller to enable variable controlleroperations to be carried out. In other words, the control software isactually comprised of a number of different control programs stored innon-volatile memory 29, and one of these control programs can beselected depending on the type of image data to be input to printer 21.On start-up, before commencing the processing of the digital image datain the picture processing unit 6, or upon reception of a command fromcommand device 8, the control contents of the control software can beselected or modified from its previous contents if so desired. It isalso possible to load new control software into memory 29, or update thecurrent software.

If a separate controller is provided for each of the image dataprocessing elements to individually control the processing elements, theexecuting functions in the respective processing elements can bemodified by changing the contents of the control software in thecontroller even if the internal structure of the processing elementsremains unchanged. It is also possible to modify the sequentialexecution of different, non-simultaneous processing operations. Bymodifying the control software, only necessary processing operations canbe selected and executed sequentially.

With continuing reference to FIG. 5, printer 21 includes a commanddevice 8 which functions as an input means for inputting an externalcommand. Command device 8, which connects to a user interface unit 28,may be embodied as a built-in keyboard or the like which forms part ofthe physical make-up of the printer. Printer 21 further includes aprogram data inputting unit (not separately shown) for inputting aprogram file and/or parameter data, which are then stored in memory 29.The various components of picture processing unit 6 as well as thecommand device 8 are controllable on the basis of this program fileand/or parameter data. The program data inputting unit is preferablyincluded as part of picture data inputting unit 1. For instance,removable media drive unit 10 may function as a program data inputtingunit to read program files and parameter data from a floppy disc, CD-ROMor the like. Optionally, a separate removable media drive unit dedicatedexclusively to reading program files can be included. This dedicateddrive unit would connect to I/O unit 27 or picture processing unit 6.With any of these hardware configurations, the program file and/orparameter data associated with specified picture data can be specifiedeasily to facilitate the processing changes in accordance with the typeor the size of the picture data. Once the program file and parameterdata are loaded and stored in memory 29, the control methods for thecharacteristics correction unit 4 and/or the picture processing unit 6and/or the command device 8 are updated, rewritten or supplemented.

The program loading function of the program data inputting unit (e.g.,drive unit 10) is controlled by a control program. This control programeither cannot be changed, or, the order of change priority of thecontrol program of the program loading unit is lower than the order ofchange of the program file and the parameter data. With this hierarchy,the control program for the program loading unit may be prevented frombeing damaged when reading the program file and the parameter data fromthe program data inputting unit.

It is desirable for a common format to be used for the program file andfor the parameter data, and that a discriminating indicia is provided inthe common format for distinguishing the program file from the parameterdata. Also, in controlling the characteristics correction unit 4, thepicture processing unit, and/or command device 8 based on the programfile and/or the parameter data, the starting and ending methods of theprogram file, as well as the accessing information and/or the form ofdescription of the parameter data, are preferably standardized. By sodoing, the respective program files are executed in a similar fashion,and the program files can use the respective parameter data as theoccasion may demand.

The operation and features of the various components for printer 21 willnow be explained in detail. Beginning with picture inputting means 7,this part includes one or more of picture data interfacing unit 9,operating as an analog picture signal inputting port or as a digitalpicture data inputting port; removable medium driving unit 10, as a discdrive or a memory drive; a film reading unit 11, as a scanner having aphotoelectric transducing element; and a computer interfacing unit 12,operating as a digital picture data input port. Picture inputting means7 connects to external input devices 13.

Picture data interfacing unit 9 interconnects a digital still picturecamera 14, a digital video camera, or an original reading scannerprocessing an object, original photograph, etc. as picture data, withpicture data input/output unit 27. Picture data interfacing unit 9 notonly operates as a physical connecting unit but also as a device forcontrolling an external connection equipment 13 and for receivingdigitized picture data, i.e., as a digital picture data input port. Theconnection to the external connection equipment 13 is typically a wiredconnection but may also be realized by a radio path, such as withinfra-red rays or electromagnetic waves.

Picture data interfacing unit 9 may be configured for receiving analogpicture signals, such as NTSC picture signals, PAL picture signals, RGBpicture signals or S-terminal picture signals. In other words, it mayoperate as an analog picture signal input port, and also include A/Dconversion means for digitizing the analog picture signals to generatingpicture data. If the input picture is a continuous picture, i.e., amoving picture such as analog picture signals or a picture imaged by adigital video camera, the moving picture can be directly outputted aspicture signals to display device 15 or to an external monitor connectedto an output port 16. When the user issues a command via command device8 to select a desired picture, a moving picture selected by picture datainterfacing unit 9 is captured as picture data, i.e., as a digitizedstill picture, under the control of user interface unit 28, which willbe explained subsequently. The picture data, thus captured, is routedvia picture data input/output (I/O) unit 27 to data processing unit 5.Alternatively, the picture data may be routed in the order in which itis captured, or the picture data may be sequentially routed in terms ofa block of a pre-set data volume as a unit. Still alternatively, thepicture data may be routed in terms of data of a completed picture frameas a unit.

Removable media driving unit 10 drives a removable medium 17 to read orwrite picture data. Removable medium 17 may be exemplified by a magneticcard, a magnetic disc, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, a flashmemory or an IC memory card constituted by a ROM or a RAM. Removablemedia driving unit 10 is also designed to drive-control a physicalmechanism of the medium that needs to be actuated. Picture data read bydriving unit 10 is routed to data processing unit 5 in the same manneras described above for interface unit 9.

If removable medium 17 contains picture data representing pluralpictures, the picture data may be outputted sequentially or in acontracted state to the display 15 or to a monitor connected to port 16as picture signals. If the user issues a command for selecting a desiredpicture via command device 8, removable media driving unit 10 routes theselected picture data to the picture data I/O unit 27, under control ofuser interface unit 28 to cause data processing unit 5 to process thedata in a predetermined fashion. Conversely, processed picture data canbe written onto removable medium 17 by means of the picture dataprocessed by data processing unit 5 being routed via picture data I/Ounit 27 to the removable media driving unit 10, under control of userinterface 28. Removable media driving unit 10 then writes and stores thedata on removable medium 17.

Film reading unit 11 reads a photographic film 18 and connects theread-out data into picture data. Film 18 can be ordinary 35 mm film orso-called AUTOMATIC PRINTING SYSTEM (advanced photo system) film, havingmagnetic information corresponding to a picture, a large-sized roll typefilm or a sheet-type film. Film reading unit 11 is mainly comprised of aphotoelectric transducing element for reading out picture data in afilm, a driving element for drive-controlling the photoelectrictransducing element and a driving controller for drive-controlling thefilm so that the targeted picture will be in registration with thephotoelectric transducing element. The transducing element can be a CCDline sensor, a photodiode, a phototransistor, a CCD image sensor or aCMOS image sensor. The image in the film is read out by thephotoelectric transducing element and thereby transduced into digitalpicture data. The picture data, thus captured, is routed via picturedata I/O unit 27 to data processing unit 5. The picture data may besequentially routed in the order in which it is captured, sequentiallyrouted in terms of a block of a pre-set data volume as a unit, or may berouted in terms of data of a completed picture frame as a unit.

If plural pictures are recorded in a film, each read-out picture may beoutputted directly, in a high density state, to display 15 or to themonitor. Optimally, the picture can be read out and displayed roughly ata low read-out density by setting a rough read-out pitch. In eithercase, if the user issues a command in command device 8 for selecting adesired picture, film reading unit 11 routes the corresponding picturedata to picture data input/output unit 27, under control of userinterface unit 28, to cause data processing unit 5 to process thepicture data. If the picture is routed as the rough read-out picture, itis read again at the usual (high density) read-out pitch. If, in filmreading unit 11, the film is tilted relative to the read-out range ofthe photoelectric transducing element, or the composition of the mainportion of the picture in the film is improper, the film settingposition or the read-out position of the photoelectric transducingelement may be automatically corrected for re-reading, in accordancewith a user command or software processing under control of userinterface 28.

Film reading unit 11 may also have the function of correcting thecharacteristics of the photoelectric transducing element and thefunction of correcting characteristics of the illumination used forphotoelectric conversion.

If in particular, film reading unit 11 has the capability of reading APSfilm by means of its photoelectric transducing element, a magnetic headis additionally provided in film reading unit 11 to allow magneticimaging data recorded on the APS film to be read out simultaneously withpicture read-out. This magnetic data is displayed on display 15 or usedfor data processing by image data processing unit 5, under control ofuser interface 28, as imaging data pertinent to the picture data, so asto be saved along with the picture data.

Accordingly, by incorporating film reading unit in printer 21 in theabove-described manner, printing photographs stored on photographic film18 can be realized without the need for a universal computer. Thisrepresents a distinct advantage over prior art techniques for printingimage data stored on film, all of which require a universal computer asdescribed above.

It is noted that a computer interfacing unit 12, akin to that describedearlier, serves to interconnect a host computer 19 with picture data I/Ounit 27. Interface unit 12 may be exemplified by a high-speed interface,such as Bi-Centronics, IEEE-1394, USB or SCSI. This computer interfacingunit 12 effects controls for each interface and a variety of protocolcontrols including control of commands and responses, used forbidirectional transmission/reception of picture data, with the aid ofthe interfaces. The picture data, thus transmitted or received, arehandled on the line basis, block basis or on the plane basis.

In prior art systems, to print a computer-displayed image on a printer,a variety of processing operations for printout need to be performed ona printer driver provided within the computer. Conversely, with thepresent printer device 21, in which print processing operations areperformed by the data processing unit 5 and characteristics correctionunit 4, the processing performed by the printer driver of host computer19 is reduced significantly. That is, the time consumed in processing byhost computer 19 is shortened to permit host computer 19 to executeoperations other than printing immediately. This frees up the CPU of thehost computer to perform other tasks. Also, with printer 21 the picturedata inputted from picture input units 7 described, above may beprocessed in a variety of ways by data processing unit 5, the resultingdata being then routed to host computer 19 and processed in a variety ofways by other software programs of host computer 19 to be saved in hostcomputer 19.

Although four types of means have been described in the foregoing as thepicture inputting means 7, these are merely illustrative and the pictureinputting means 7 may be configured differently without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

Picture data input/output (I/O) unit 27 is a portion of printer 21responsible for transferring picture data between picture inputtingmeans 7 and picture processing unit 6. That is, I/O unit 27 functions totransfer to data processing unit 5 the first digital picture dataobtained from digital input data or via A/D conversion of analog picturesignals. Picture data I/O unit 27 also has the function of adjusting thepicture data transfer timing and the relationship between the source andthe destination of transfer to prevent collision between differentpicture data. Additionally, I/O unit 27 has the functions of makingadjustments to enable picture data inputted from a variety of pictureinputting means to be handled in a similar fashion.

I/O unit 27 receives picture data from the picture data interfacing unit9 and the film reading unit 11 of the picture inputting means 7, whiletransmitting/receiving picture data to or from the removable mediadriving unit 10 and the computer interfacing unit 12. That is, thepicture data input unit 1 operates as a data inputting/outputting unit.The transmitting/receiving timing of picture data or selection ofpicture data in the picture data input unit 1 is controlled on the basisof a command from user interface 28, as later explained, if the commandfrom the user is to be followed. The above-described control may also beperformed automatically under control of data processing unit 5.

In printer 21, each picture inputting device 7 of picture data inputunit 1 may also be caused to operate as a program data input unit. Thatis, the program file and/or the parameter data may be entered from eachpicture inputting device 7. In this case, the program file and/or theparameter data can be directly inputted to each portion allocated toinput picture data as digital signals. Also, in each portion where apicture drawn on a silver halide film or a recording medium is read andconverted by analog/digital conversion into first digital picture data,the program file and/or the parameter data can be read by thephotoelectric transducing element as in the case of a two-dimensionalbar code or an OCR reading mark sheet system for conversion into digitaldata. Inputting may also be effected by addition to APS magnetic data onthe magnetic recording layer on an APS film.

Moreover, the program file and/or the parameter data may be associatedwith specified picture data. That is, by using a common input device toserve as both the program data inputting portion and the picture datainputting portion, the program file and/or the parameter data associatedwith specified picture data can now be specified to render it possibleto change the function of printer 21 depending on factors such as thetype or size of the specified picture data. In this case, the totalityof the functions of printer 21 can be changed by the input program fileand/or the parameter data. Also, in this case, conversion of theexternally inputted digital picture data and/or analog picture signalsand inputting of the program file and/or the parameter data may beeffected by the same picture inputting unit 7 or by different pictureinput units 7.

As mentioned earlier, the program loading unit of the program datainputting unit (e.g., drive unit 10) is controlled by a control programwhich is stored and held in a system controlling CPU 61, a system ROM 62or in a flash memory 63 (FIG. 10). Among the methods for changing thecontrol program of the program loading unit are the following: changingthe program solely by changing the program ROM; setting the password topermit the program change on inputting the password; and, permitting theprogram change such as program rewriting/updating solely by manufacturersetting, service setting or supervisor setting. This prevents thecontrol program of the program loading unit from being damaged whenreading the program file and/or the parameter data from the program datainputting unit.

As stated earlier, it is preferred that the program file and theparameter data have a common format and are provided with adiscriminating indicia for demarcation between the two. Also, thestarting and terminating methods of the program file and/or the form ofstating the parameter data are preferably standardized when one or moreof the characteristics correction unit 4, picture processing unit 6 andcommand device are to be controlled on the basis of the program fileand/or the parameter data inputted from the program data inputting unitor which are stored and held in memory 24. By so doing, the programfiles can be executed in a similar fashion, while the respective programfiles can use the respective parameter data whenever the necessityarises. Moreover, the program file or the parameter data can be easilydeveloped even if the relation to other portions of printer 21 isunknown, such that these can be inputted from the program data inputtingunit to execute the functions of printer 21. Therefore, if the startingand terminating methods of the program file of printer 21 as well as theaccessing information are disclosed, the user is able to develop theprogram file or the parameter data easily.

If the program file or the parameter data are stored, and a recordingmedium in which data can be inputted is furnished from the datainputting unit, the functions of printer 21 can be easily updated,changed or supplemented easily.

Moreover, in the present printer device, the picture input units 7 canbe operated as an inputting unit for inputting the control softwareresponsible for performing control on the controller configured forcontrolling the plural picture data processing elements in the pictureprocessing unit 6, which will be explained subsequently. It is possiblein this case to directly input the control software in each portiondedicated to input picture data as digital signals. Also, in therespective portions configured for reading a picture recorded on asilver halide film or a recording medium and for A/D converting theread-out picture to generate first digital picture data, it is possibleto read the control software by a photoelectric transducing element suchas with a one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar code or in the case ofthe OCR read mark sheet system. Inputting can also be effected bysupplementing the APS magnetic data of the magnetic recording layer onthe APS film.

The control software may be adapted to operate with specified picturedata. That is, the control software associated with the specifiedpicture data can be specified to differ according to such factors as thetype or the size of the specified picture data, to thereby change thefunctions as the printer device. In this case, it is of course possibleto change the totality of the functions of printer 21 by the inputcontrol program. It is noted that conversion of externally inputteddigital picture data and/or externally inputted analog picture signalsinto first digital picture data and inputting of the control softwarecan be effected either by the same or different picture inputting units7.

Printer 21 includes the aforementioned display 15, and an output port16, operating as an analog picture signal data output port and/or adigital picture signal data output port. Output port 16 is connectableto an external monitor serving as an external connection. Display device15 consists mainly of: 1) a full-color display unit for displayingpicture data and the information concerning the user interface unit 28,as later explained; and, 2) a corresponding driving unit. A flat paneldisplay represented by a liquid crystal panel is preferred for display15. The display 15 may also be provided with one or more status displayunit, such as an LED, representing the operating state.

Command device 8, operating as a means for inputting an externalcommand, may be enumerated by a mouse, a track ball, a keyboard, a touchpanel provided on the display device 15, and a pen-touch input panel fordata input by a pen point. Command device 8 also is a portion to which acommand by the user is inputted responsive to the control by userinterface unit 28 as later explained. With the touch panel or thepen-touch input panel provided on display 15, the display of an image ofan actuating key on a display device and the range of the inputtingoperation for the key image displayed on the touch panel or thepen-touch panel represent the same or related position. If chattering islikely to be produced, as in the case of a key, the processing foravoiding the malfunction due to chattering from occurring is performedby an electric circuit or by control software.

As a method for using command device 8, a command accepting range may bedisplayed on an external monitor, under control by user interface unit28, while a pointer indicating the display position of command device 8is displayed on an external monitor display screen arranged to display apicture signal output from output port 16. The pointer is moved in therange by the command device 8 and selected to enter the user command.

User interface unit 28 has the functions of: outputting picture dataoutputted from picture processing unit 6 (as explained later) on display15 and/or the external monitor; selecting a picture or reading outpicture data in accordance with an input command by the user via commanddevice 8; setting various parameters for editing, working, synthesizingor correcting the picture data in data processing unit 5; performing asetting operation for correcting display output characteristicsprescribing the display picture quality in display 15 and/or the monitorvia characteristics correction unit 4 and/or for correcting the printingcharacteristics prescribing the printing picture quality in pictureprinting unit 3; and, performing a setting operation to correct thepicture data in the characteristics correction unit 4 and forcontrolling printer 21 under the command by the user. User interfaceunit 28 synthesizes key display, slide volume display or menu picturedisplay necessary for operations to the picture data for the output port16 and for the display device 15 processed by the picture processingunit 6 to output the synthesized data on display 15 or to an externalmonitor via output port 16.

In the above configuration, display contents different from those ondisplay 15 may be displayed on the external monitor. For example, it ispossible to display picture data and a picture synthesized by userinterface unit 28 on display 15 and to output only picture signals tothe output port 16 to display only the picture data on the externalmonitor. Specifically, the entire printing range of the recording mediummay be displayed on display 15, while only selected picture data may bedisplayed on the external monitor. The contents to be outputted todisplay 15 and to the output port 16 and the contents of the acceptancecommand corresponding to the outputted contents are determined by theoperating state of printer 21 and by the processing contents in thepicture processing unit 6.

Picture processing unit 6 is comprised mainly by data processing unit 5and characteristics correction unit 4, as described above. If thepicture data inputted by picture data input unit 1 is not of idealpicture quality characteristics, data processing unit 5 corrects theinput picture data in order to improve the picture quality of thedisplay picture on display 15 or on the external monitor or the pictureprinted by the picture printing unit 3. Data processing unit 5 receivesthe user command from the command device 8 via the user interface unit28 and accordingly edits, works on, synthesizes, corrects or convertsthe first digital picture data from the picture data input unit 1 toproduce second digital picture data.

Data processing unit 5 is configured for performing accessing control toa picture memory 20, so that picture data can be written or read out,under control by data processing unit 5 whenever the necessity arises.The picture data to be stored is the data edited, worked on, synthesizedor corrected by data processing unit 5. If there is any informationpertinent to the picture data, such pertinent information is also saved.The data saved in picture memory 20 may be in a compressed form, in areversibly compressed form or in an irreversibly compressed form,depending on such factors as: whether or not the data is in a formatthat can be easily handled by the picture processing unit 6 or thepicture quality deterioration on repeated compression and restorationoperations is tolerable; the amount of picture data to be saved in thepicture memory 20; maximum capacity, readout/write speed of the picturememory 20, etc. If the processing speed, picture quality deteriorationor data handling is taken into account, the data is preferably stored inpicture memory 20 in a non-compressed form. Picture memory 20 ispreferably of such a capacity as to permit several frames of the picturedata to be kept in the non-compressed form. It is also possible to use aportion of the picture memory 20 as a working memory for picture data inthe course of the processing in the picture processing unit 6. If, whenaccessing picture data in picture memory 20, the picture data is storedtherein in compressed form, the picture data is re-written in picturememory 20 after compressing the picture data in data processing unit 5.Of course, the compressed data is expanded on readout in data processingunit 5.

Since data processing unit 5 performs accessing control to picturememory 20, it performs control operations to effect time-divisionalaccessing if the write timing of picture data in picture memory 20 islikely to collide with the readout timing from picture memory 20, orperforms a control operation to delay the write timing or the readouttiming. By detecting the effective capacity of the picture memory 20 byconfiguring the picture memory 20 so that its capacity can be increasedor decreased, it is possible to perform normal addressing control to thepicture memory 20.

If, in imaging or reading out picture data, the correcting processingcharacteristic of input units to the picture data interfacing unit 9 orto the film reading unit 11 are not executed, it is possible for dataprocessing unit 5 to effect digital processing on the picture data.

In data processing unit 5, the picture data is mainly handled indigitized form. If the digitized picture data read from the picture datainput unit 1 is processed while the number of bits for calculation ofeach data block remains equal to that of the input picture data, thecalculation accuracy is gradually reduced. It is therefore crucial forguaranteeing the picture quality of the printed picture to increase thenumber of bits of each data block by, e.g., two to four bits to preventthe deterioration of the calculation accuracy as far as possible.

If the user edits, works on, synthesizes or corrects the first digitalpicture data inputted via picture data input unit 1 in a desired manner,the picture data is outputted and displayed on display 15 or theexternal monitor (to produce, in either case, what will hereafter bereferred to as a “displayed picture”). The displayed picture isdisplayed under control by user interface 8, based on the command fromcommand device 8, to permit the user to check if the processingoperation is the desired one. If the user has effected the desiredprocessing on the first digital picture data to generate second digitalpicture data, and a command is issued to print it, the second digitalpicture data is sent via a printing output processing unit 24 (asexplained later) to picture printing unit 3.

The processing executed in data processing unit 5 such as editing,working, synthesis or correction, may be configured to permit lateaddition or updating of the software for each processing task andparameters used in each processing task from removable medium drivingunit 10 or computer interfacing unit 12. This permits new functions tobe added to the printer device. Specifically, the various processingtasks executed by data processing unit 5 may be configured to be addedto or updated, responsive to the program file and/or the parameter datafrom a program data input in picture data input unit 1, as discussedpreviously. That is, the processing of editing, working, synthesis,correction or conversion on picture data in data processing unit 5 isexecuted in accordance with the program file and/or the parameter datainputted from the picture data input unit 1 or stored and held in memory29.

Similarly, the processing performed by the components of characteristicscorrection unit 4, namely, display device processing unit 22, picturesignal processing unit 23 and printing output processing unit 24, isexecuted in accordance with the program file and/or the parameter datainputted from picture data input unit 1 or stored in memory 29. It isnoted that the picture data input unit 1 either has its originalfunctions, or functions subsequently updated, rewritten or supplemented,that is, the function of the program data input unit. In other words, itis possible to update the functions of the program data input unititself by loading certain update software.

The functions that can be updated, changed or supplemented responsive tothe program file and/or the parameter data inputted from the programdata input unit may encompass any of the functions performed by printer21 (i.e., aside from those allocated to picture processing unit 6).Specifically, the above functions may encompass the contents ofcorrection by the characteristics correction unit 4, the contents ofediting, working, synthesis, correction and conversion of dataprocessing unit 5, the contents of processing by user interface unit 28and data processing unit 5 or the entirety of the functions of printer21. Further, the control in accordance with the program file and/or theparameter data stored in storage unit 29 can naturally be executed byother than data processing unit 5. That is, the executable functions ofthe present printer device can be updated (version upgrading), rewrittenor supplemented.

In characteristics correction unit 4, display device processor 22corrects the first digital picture data or the occasionally processedsecond digital picture data, in accordance with the characteristics ofdisplay 15, in order to display the corresponding pictures via userinterface unit 28 on display 15. Video signal processing unit 23corrects the first digital picture data or the occasionally processedsecond digital picture data in accordance with characteristics of anexternal display equipment, such as an external monitor, and also inaccordance with characteristics of standard picture signals outputted tothe display equipment, in order to display images corresponding to thepicture data via user interface unit 28 on the external displayequipment. The picture data outputted from display device processingunit 22 and from video signal processor 23 to user interface 28 areoccasionally synthesized with other data in user interface 28 so thatthe synthesized picture data will be displayed on display 15 or on anexternal monitor. In this case, the synthesized picture data may besynthesized with display or letters requesting a user command or apattern generated in data processing unit 5.

Printing output processing unit 24 is responsible for effecting theconversion and correction in preparation for printing by the pictureprinting unit 3 and routing the converted or corrected data to pictureprinting unit 3. Usually, the first digital picture data or theoccasionally processed second digital picture data are RGB signals with8 bits or more for each color. However, three colors of CMY or fourcolors of CMYK (where K represents black) are used as inks in a printerhead 25 used in the picture printing unit 3. Thus, printing outputprocessor 24 converts the RGB signals into these colors, while effectingcolor correction for correcting color shift of the print outputattributable to the non-optimum spectroscopic sensitivity of each of therecording inks of the respective colors or toners. Processor 24 alsoperforms conversion correction processing related to environmentalconditions prevailing at the time of recording, such as the conditionsof printer head 25, inks, toner or coloration characteristics of therecording medium.

Further, printing output processor 24 re-arranges the picture datatransferred to printer head 25 in the printing sequence actually used inprinter head 25. To this end, a transient buffering RAM for printingdata may be provided in printing output processor 24. Alternatively,when data processing unit 5 reads out the picture data from picturememory 20, the readout addresses may be controlled in accordance withthe printing sequence in printer head 25.

In printer 21, the picture displayed on display 15 or on the externalmonitor is represented as being of visually equivalent picture qualityto the picture printed by printing unit 3. To this end, the setting ofthe display output characteristics prescribing the display picturequality in display 15 or the external monitor is corrected by displaydevice processor 22 and/or video signal processor 23 in association withthe setting of printing characteristics prescribing the printing picturequality in picture printing unit 3. Conversely, the setting of printingcharacteristics prescribing the printing picture quality in pictureprinting unit 3 is corrected by printing output processor 24 inassociation with the setting of the display output characteristicsprescribing the display picture quality.

Moreover, in the present printer device, display device processor 22,picture signal processor 23 and the printing output processor 24,constituting the characteristics correction unit 4, are provided withpicture correction means (e.g., dedicated hardware circuitry and/orsoftware) for correcting data values (or at least one data value) of thefirst digital picture data or data values of the occasionally processedsecond digital picture data in a predetermined fashion to provide thirddigital picture data. Of course, the above-mentioned picture correctionmeans is capable of performing predetermined correction of pre-setranges of the first digital picture data or the second digital picturedata and the first digital picture data or the second digital picturedata in their entirety. That is, the third digital picture data isdisplayed and outputted by the picture display outputting unit andprinted on a recording medium by the picture printing unit.

In printer 21, the correction procedure to generate the third digitalpicture signals by the picture correction means of characteristicscorrection unit 4 is preferably a correction that converts the color tothe reproduction color felt to be optimum by an average viewer. Also,the correction by the picture correction means corrects specifiedcontents in the picture data in accordance with an average stored color.It is also desirable that the viewing conditions such as an averagelight source used for viewing the displayed picture and the printedpicture printed by printing unit 3 (hereafter, just “the printedpicture”) are presupposed and the correction is performed in accordancewith the presupposed conditions. It is possible in this case to extracta specified pattern in picture data to make corrections on the patternor pre-set ranges.

As stated previously, in printer 21, correction is performed so that thedisplayed picture will be represented as being of the visuallyequivalent picture quality to the printed picture. However, it isnevertheless difficult to realize a picture desired by the viewer. Thistendency is apparent in reproduction of the color defined by brightness,color hue and saturation, among a variety of characteristics of thepicture quality. This will be now be explained with reference to thefollowing two articles, each of which are incorporated herein byreference: Bartleson, C. J. and Bray C. P., On the PreferredReproduction of Flesh, Blue-Sky, and Green Grass Colors”, Photogr. Sci.Eng. 6,19 (1962); Imaging Part 1, published by SHASHIN-KOGYO on Jan. 20,1988, entitled Physical and Subjective Aspects of Picture Evaluation”.

To simplify the discussion, it is assumed that an object is imaged bycertain inputting means and corrected in a manner optimum for inputcharacteristics typical of the inputting means, whereby picture datahaving colorimetric values equal to those of the object at the time ofimaging are obtained. If, when this picture data is displayed on display15 or the external monitor or printed on a recording medium by thepicture printing unit 3, the colors exhibited by the picture data aredirectly corrected in accordance with respective output characteristics,and the picture data, thus corrected, are displayed and printed to makecolor reproduction close to the colorimetric values. The pictureobtained and viewed by viewers at large has a picture quality ofnon-vivid impression different from an actual object. This phenomenonoccurs substantially similarly even in cases wherein the viewer is notdirectly aware of the actual object for the reason that the desirable oroptimum color for a particular printed picture is distinct from thecolor of the object being imaged due to such factors as the colormemorized by the individual viewers and the colors liked by thedifferent viewers.

For convenience in the ensuing discussion, the color ordinarilyrecollected by viewers for a given commonplace article is termed amemory color, and the color which the viewer feels to be optimum for thearticle is termed a preferred reproduction color. The memory color meansthe color ordinarily recollected by viewers for a given commonplacearticle. With an average memory color, the color hue shifts in adirection presumed to be the direction proceeding towards the mostimpressive color attribute, with the saturation and brightness tendingto be increased. The preferred reproduction color means a color that aperson feels is desirable for the article, and is influenced not only byfactors of the picture itself, such as picture contents, but also by thepersonal taste of the viewer, light source type and so forth.

The article may be enumerated by one common to the viewer or to whichthe viewer directs special attention, such as skin color, grass color orthe blue sky color. Of particular interest is the skin color. Examplesof the factors generated by the preferred reproduction color for theskin color include:

-   i) factors on the side of the picture itself, such as:    -   a) sex, age or the like personal difference of the object;    -   b) status of the background scene;    -   c) proportion of the object in the entire picture;    -   d) light source at the time of imaging etc.-   ii) factors on the side of the viewer, such as:    -   a) personal liking of the viewer (differing with the        generation);    -   b) light source; and    -   c) viewing distance etc.

The characteristics on the color coordinates of the preferredreproduction color for the skin color include the following:

-   -   a) movement towards a white point;    -   b) tolerance is lowered in the direction of rotation of the        color hue;    -   c) tolerance becomes broader in the direction of the increasing        saturation.

The preferred reproduction color is known to be affected only to alimited extent by the type of the light source. In a photographicpicture, the preferred reproduction color is said in general not to becoincident with the memory color.

FIG. 6 shows a typical preferred reproduction color on the CIE colorcoordinates from the reference material 1. In particular, FIG. 6 showsthe relationship between the color of the object, indicated by a clearcircle “O”, the average memory color, indicated by “x” and the averagepreferred reproduction color indicated by a darkened circle, for theskin color, blue sky color and the grass color. FIG. 6 shows changes inthe color hue and saturation, with the color hue being rotated along theside of the drawing and with the saturation increasing from the centertowards the rim of the drawing. Thus, it is seen from FIG. 6 that thepreferred reproduction color and the average memory color deviate fromthe color of the object depending on the type of the object.

There is also a desirable reproducing method for an element other thancolor reproduction, such as sharpness of a picture. As far as sharpnessis concerned, a picture exhibiting extremely high sharpness is notnecessarily pleasant to the viewer; in a portrait or a figure, a picturewith different sharpnesses is more desirable. Thus, it is recommendableto vary the sharpness in dependence on the picture contents.

It will be seen that if input picture data is simply corrected inaccordance with the display output and printing characteristics tooutput and display a picture from a picture outputting unit, and theoutput picture is recorded on the recording medium by the pictureprinting unit, the resulting picture quality falls short of the picturequality desired or liked by the viewer. Thus, in actually displaying andprinting a picture on the present printer device 21, it is desirable notonly to execute displaying, outputting and the correction proper to theprinting characteristics, but also to execute correction for preferredreproduction in accordance with the contents of the picture data.

Specifically, the display device processing unit 22 and the picturesignal processing unit 23 execute the above-mentioned pre-set correctionon at least one data value of the first digital picture data, at leastone data value of the second digital picture data, pre-set ranges of thefirst digital picture data and the second digital picture data or on thepicture data in its entirety, to provide the third digital picture data.A pattern in the picture data can be extracted and, if the pattern is apredetermined pattern, picture data in the range of the pattern isselectively converted. Alternatively, if the data value of the pixelsmaking up the picture pattern is in a pre-set range, it suffices if thepicture data is converted selectively.

The correction may be effected in a predetermined manner. It iseffective to implement predetermined converting correction of thepreferred reproduction color or the average memory color for a specifiedregion or a specified range in the picture data. In addition, thepicture displayed on the display device 15 and the picture of theexternal monitor by output signals of the output port need to besubstantially the same as the picture printed by the picture printingunit 3. Therefore, it is also effective to postulate the viewingconditions, such as an average light source, under which the viewer seesthe picture displayed on the picture display outputting unit or thepicture printed by the picture printing unit, as discussed above, and toeffect the correction in accordance with the postulated conditions.

If the printed picture on the recording medium is compared to thedisplay on the display device 15 or on an external monitor, therefrequently occur cases wherein difference is caused in the analyticselecting method for obtaining the desirable picture quality for thesame user (viewer) and in the corresponding converting correctingmethod. This is ascribable to the difference in characteristics betweenthe hard copy obtained on copying on the recording medium (co-existenceof the additive color mixing and subtractive color mixing) and the softcopy obtained on displaying on the external monitor (additive colormixing) and also to the difference in output characteristics proper tothe respective output devices.

The result is that the processing method carried out in the displaydevice processor 22 and in the video signal processor 23 differs fromthat carried out in the printing output processing unit 24. That is, theprocessing method which permits the picture to be viewed similarly tothe printed picture on the recording medium in picture quality is usedin the display device processor 22 and in the video signal processor 23.The selective correcting processing method in display device processor22 and in video signal processor 23 may be rewritten or one of pluralpre-set methods may be selected depending on the using conditions.

The contents in the display device processing unit 22 and in the videosignal processing unit 23 are also rewritten/selected in keeping withthose of the printing output processing unit 24. If the type of theprinter head 25 constituting the printing output processing unit 24 ischanged, the setting of the printing output processing unit 24 is alsochanged, while the setting of the display device processing unit 22 andthe picture signal processing unit 23 is also correspondingly changedand corrected. If the display characteristics of the display device 15or the type of the external monitor are changed, the setting of thedisplay device processing unit 22 and the video signal processing unit23 is correspondingly changed. These settings are preferably assembledfrom the outset.

The converting correcting method for the display device processing unit22 and the video signal processing unit 23 and the selecting method ofthe range have been described as being independent from each other.Alternatively, these methods may be unified to a common method if partor all of the functions can be used in common. Turning now to theprinting output processing unit 24, at least one data value of the firstdigital picture data, at least one data value of the second digitalpicture data, pre-set ranges of the first and second digital picturedata and the picture data in its entirety are corrected in a pre-setfashion as described above, to provide third digital picture data.

Specifically, if a pattern in picture data is extracted, and if thepattern is the pre-set pattern, it suffices if pixel data in the patternis selectively converted. On the other hand, if data values of therespective pixels making up the picture pattern are within the pre-setspecified range, it suffices if the pixel data are selectivelyconverted.

It suffices if this conversion is effected by a pre-set method. Forimproving the picture quality of the printed picture, it is effective ifthe converting correction is effected in a pre-set fashion using pre-setpreferred reproduction color or pre-set average memory color.

If, in the picture correction unit in the printing output processingunit 24, the picture data is analyzed to select the range of executionof the correcting processing, the following methods may be used as themethod for analysis and selection:

1) The contents of the input picture pattern are extracted and, if theseare within pre-defined specified pattern, the inside range of thepattern is selected. If, for example, the sky color portion is set to becorrected from the outset, a targeted portion, herein the shape of theskin-color portion of a human being, such as a face or an arm, isextracted on pattern recognition.

2) If data of each pixel of the input picture data is within apre-defined specified range, these pixels are extracted. If, when theskin color portion is pre-set to be corrected, respective pixel data inthe picture data are in a range showing the pre-defined skin color,these pixels are extracted.

If, when 1) and 2) are combined together, and each pixel data in an areajudged to be a skin color portion of a human being on patternrecognition are within a range exhibiting the skin color, the pixels ofthe area are analyzed and selected, it is possible to prevent errors inthe pattern recognition.

The area and the range, analyzed and selected by the printing outputprocessing unit 24, are converted in a manner as now explained.

a) The contents of a picture on analysis and selection are converted tothe reproduction color felt to be optimum by an average viewer. As atypical example, the conversion for the skin color of the human being isas follows: A large number of persons are queried as to which skin coloris most desirable when recording a face of a human being. The data rangeof the skin color thus found is set and pixels of the skin color area ofthe face analyzed and selected from the picture data are converted intopre-set skin color data. Of course, if there is a width of change, suchas gradation, in the analyzed and selected skin color, the change widthor gradation needs to be maintained in a similar fashion in theas-converted skin color.

b) In lieu of the preferred reproduction color, discussed in a), anaverage memory color is found and a corresponding data range is set.Based on this value, the skin color area of the face analyzed andselected from the picture data is converted to the average memory colorrather than to the preferred reproduction color. In this case, thecontents of the picture obtained on analysis and selection are convertedto the as-set average memory color itself, or the color of the ultimateconversion is found from the respective pixel data of the picture dataand these setting values.

c) The above method a) and b) are combined, and an optimum method isselected from a) and b) depending on the pre-defined pattern or the datarange.

In addition to the conversion based on the preferred reproduction coloror on the average memory color, it is also effective to postulate theviewing conditions under which a viewer observes the picture printed bythe picture printing unit, such as the color temperature of the averagelight source, illuminance on the recording medium or the reflectance onthe recording medium and to effect the correction depending on thepostulated conditions.

By way of an example of a method for effecting conversion correctionsuited to the specified area and the range selected on analysis, inputpicture data are transiently converted into uniform color spacecoordinates represented by CIE L*a*b* shown in FIG. 7 to effect targetedconversion and correction based on these coordinates.

Since the color system typified by the CIE L*a*b* system is inherently athree-dimensional coordinate system, conversion and correction can beeffected in a specified plane passing through a point of origin in thethree-dimensional space in order to simplify the calculations. As anexample, processing can be done in the a*b* plane shown in FIG. 8 or ina plane passing through the L* axis and which crosses the a*b* plane.

An illustrative conversion in the three-dimensional plane or in atwo-dimensional plane is to convert a three-dimensional area or atwo-dimensional area occupying a specified area and range of picturedata inputted to the printing output processing unit 24 by a methodschematically shown in FIG. 9. Specifically, there are a method forconverting an original spatial area A into a spatial area A1 occupyingits portion, as shown in FIG. 9 a, a method for converting an originalspatial area B into a spatial area B1 distinct from the area B, as shownin FIG. 9B, and a method for converting the original spatial area C intoa spatial area C1 partially overlapping with the area C.

If the conversion to a preferred reproduction color etc is done in thismanner in the printing output processing unit 24, the conversion is thenfrom the uniform color space coordinate system to the coordinate systemof the original coordinate data, usually the RGB system. Then,processing transfers to the next step.

It is also effective to execute the aforementioned preferredreproduction color processing in the conversion from RGB to CMYKexecuted in the printing output processing unit 24. Specifically,cessation of mixing the BK components into bright skin color may berecited as a preferred processing for beautiful representation of theskin color.

If the processing method or sequence in the conversion and correctionprocessing in the printing output processing unit 24 as discussed abovepreferably can be rewritten since these can then be rewritten at thetime of shipment from the plant depending on the particular destinationof the printer device or subject to possible changes of the user. Inaddition, the method or the parameters can be changed with advantage atthe option of the user responsive to changes with lapse of time.

Alternatively, plural conversion methods can be set in advance forselection depending on the conditions of use.

If special features are produced in the picture quality depending oninput characteristics of the picture data in the picture data input unit1, the variable parameters can be varied depending on these features.

The reciprocal relation among the data processing unit 5, display deviceprocessing unit 22, picture signal processing unit 23 and the printingoutput processing unit 24 is hereinafter explained. In these units, theconversion correction processing operations, possibly affecting thepicture quality, as will be explained subsequently, are performed.

First, if picture data inputted via the picture inputting means 7, suchas picture data interfacing unit 9 or film reading unit 11, is of inputcharacteristics affecting the picture quality characteristic of therespective input means at the time of imaging or readout, the dataprocessing unit 5 executes the processing depending on the inputcharacteristics to cancel or alleviate the characteristics. If the inputcharacteristics ultimately can be exploited at the time of printing onthe recording medium or display on the display device 15 or on theexternal monitor, the data processing unit 5 effects the processing ofconversion and correction of the input characteristics to moderatevalues. By parameter setting in the data processing unit 5, it ispossible to change the contents of the processing to be executed and theratio of the conversion and correction. If equivalent functions can beexecuted not only in the data processing unit 5 but also in the picturedata interfacing unit 9 or in the film reading unit 11 when readingpicture data from the external connection equipment 13, the functionsinclude the conversion and correction processing. In this case, thefunctions can be executed by parameter setting at the time of readingpicture data, for example, by gain setting when capturing signals fromthe photoelectric transducing element.

On the other hand, the display device processing unit 22 and the videosignal processing unit 23 effect display characteristics conversion andcorrection, in accordance with display output characteristics of thedisplay device 15 or the external monitor, so that the picture qualityof the display output will be optimum for the user (viewer). Thecontents of the processing executed and the ratio of the conversion andcorrection may be rendered variable by setting the parameters affectingthe picture quality. This processing may also be executed by setting ananalog deriving unit to a display device etc to vary the amplificationfactor etc instead of by using digital data processing.

Moreover, the printing output processing unit 24 executes the processingof converting and correcting printing characteristics, depending on theprinting characteristics of the printer head 25 for the recordingmedium, so that the picture quality of the display output will beoptimum for the user (viewer). The contents of the processing executedand the processing sequence may be rendered variable by setting theparameters affecting the printing picture quality. Instead of executingthe processing by digital data processing, the various settings may berendered variable in an analog driving unit in the print head drivingunit.

In determining the processing contents, processing sequence or parametersetting values in the input characteristics conversion and correction,display output characteristics conversion and correction and in printingoutput characteristics conversion and correction, the display outputcharacteristics conversion and correction, prescribing the displaypicture quality, are set and varied, in accordance with the setting ofprinting characteristics prescribing the printing picture quality, whilethe display output characteristics conversion and correction,prescribing the display picture quality, are set and varied inaccordance with changes in the setting of the printing characteristics.Also, the printing output characteristics conversion and correction,prescribing the printing picture quality in the picture printing unit,are set and varied, in accordance with the change in the setting ofdisplay characteristics prescribing the display picture quality, whilethe printing characteristics setting conversion and correctionprocessing, prescribing the printing picture quality in the pictureprinting unit, are set in accordance with the change in the setting ofdisplay characteristics prescribing the display picture quality.

By setting and changing the display output characteristics and theprinting characteristics in relation to each other for settingcharacteristics of the display device in accordance with, for example,the printing gamma characteristics or setting the display colorreproduction characteristics in accordance with the printing colorreproduction characteristics, the user (viewer) is able to recognizethat the display picture on the display device 15 or on the externalmonitor is of the visually equivalent picture quality to the printedpicture on the recording medium. If the display output characteristicsor the printing characteristics are varied with changes in the elementused or chronological changes, the setting of one of the characteristicscan be varied by changing the setting of the other. If also the inputcharacteristics of the picture data are taken into consideration, thedisplay output characteristics or the printing characteristics can bemaintained at optimum values, despite switching to a picture inputtingmeans 7 having different input characteristics, on the condition thatthe printing output conversion and correction influencing the printingpicture quality and/or the display output conversion and correctioninfluencing the display output picture quality are set and varied inaccordance with the input characteristics picture correction processinginfluencing the picture quality of the picture data. Thus, the user(viewer) can have the impression that the display picture in the displaydevice 15 or the external monitor a and the printed picture on therecording medium are of visually equivalent picture quality.

Preferably, the various settings that can be changed can be inputtedfrom external input means, such as the command device 8, at the time ofshipment from a plant, and can also be inputted if, after shipment,characteristics have been changed significantly.

Preferably, the setting of printing characteristics in the pictureprinting unit 3 and the setting of display characteristics of display 15and the external monitor are selected from a number of pre-assembledsettings.

The picture printing unit 3 is mainly comprised of a print head drivingunit 26 and the printer head 25. If a picture for printing is selectedby user interface unit 28, and a printing command is issued, printingdata processed with conversion and correction processing necessary forprinting in the printing output processing unit 24 in the pictureprocessing unit 6 is routed to the print head driving unit 26. The printhead driving unit 26 converts the printing data into driving voltage,driving current and the driving waveform sufficient for driving theprinter head 25 in accordance with the driving timing of the printerhead 25 to output the converted printing data to the printer head 25.

Specifically, the operation of the print head driving unit 26 occurs insynchronism with the operation of the printing mechanism producing theprinting operation of the printer head 25, movement of the printer head25 and the recording medium, maintenance processing for the printer head25 and with the ink supplying operation. There are occasions wherein,for effecting optimum printing in keeping with the environment statusfor printing, optimum correction is executed by an analog electriccircuit configuration, based on the input from detection elements, suchas temperature sensors. If this correction processing can be executed bydigital processing, it may be executed in the printing output processingunit 24 in the picture processing unit 6. The print head driving unit 26is constructed and operated in keeping with the types and the number ofthe printer head 25 in use and with the configuration of the printermechanism.

The printer head 25 is responsible for actually emitting the recordingink on to the recording medium or depositing the recording toner on therecording medium for printing. The printer head may be enumerated by anink jet printer head disclosed in Japanese Laying-Open Patent H-7-164656or in Japanese Laying-Open Patent H-8-336990, in particular a flyingrecording material type printer head or a two-liquid mixing type printerhead. Other examples of the printer head include a dye diffusion typethermal head, a picture forming portion of a laser beam printer and soforth.

Of these, the flying recording material type printer head or thetwo-liquid mixing type printer head, capable of full-color half-tonerecording, are preferred in that these printer heads can realizefull-color printing to high picture quality. The line printer head andthe serial printer head can be constructed depending on the width of theprinter head. In the case of the line printer head, the printing timecan be reduced because it suffices for the recording medium to be movedon one direction with respect to the line printer head. In the case ofthe serial printer head, the recording medium and the serial printerhead need to be moved relative to each other in two directions.

In the present embodiment, the picture data input unit 1, pictureprocessing unit 6, picture memory 20, command device 8, display 15 andthe picture printing unit 3 are constructed unitarily to constitute amain body portion 21. Alternatively, the picture inputting means 7 ofthe picture data input unit 1 may be isolated from the main body portion21. For example, the film reading unit 11 may be connected to the mainbody portion by a bidirectional interface. If, in this case, the signalsfrom the photoelectric transducing element or control signals of theread-out mechanism are transmitted/received in two directions, thefunction equivalent to that in case the film reading unit 11 isassembled into the main body portion 21 can be achieved. In this case, auniversal interface, such as IEEE-1394, may be used as the interface. Byusing this universal interface, transmission/reception with otherpicture input units 7 via this interface may be realized if the otherpicture inputting means 7 is used in place of the film reading unit 11and the software configuration controlling the communicationtherebetween is used.

If the picture inputting means 7 is provided in isolation from the mainbody portion 21 to permit separation from the main body portion 21, itbecomes possible to connect only the required portions of the pictureinput unit 7 to the main body portion 21 to permit size reduction of theprinter device and saving in the mounting space.

The display device 15, assembled into the main body portion 21, ispreferably movable on the main body portion 21. For example, the displaydevice 15 is preferably held on the casing-like main body portion 21 viaa support for rotation within a pre-set range to assure facilitatedviewing and recognition by the user. The display device 15 may bemounted in isolation from the main body portion 21 and preferably has aphysical or electrical coupling mechanism with respect to the main bodyportion 21 to permit viewing and recognition by the user even fromremote places. That is, since the picture characteristics, such as colortones, of the displayed picture on the display device 15 are susceptibleto ambient environments, the display device 15 is preferably mounted formovement on the main body portion 21 or in isolation therefrom tofacilitate viewing and recognition under a condition in which thedisplay device 15 is less susceptible to ambient environments.

The command device 8 may also be arranged separate from the main bodyportion 21 in which case the user is able to actuate the printer devicefrom remote locations.

For printing by the printer head, the following operation, for example,is performed. First, for prompting the user to input a picture, userinterface unit 28 causes the display device 15 and/or the externalmonitor to display icons which will permit the user to select theparticular picture input means 7 to be used to input picture data. Theuser accordingly selects the particular portion of the picture inputmeans 7 to be accessed, using the command device 8, in order to capturea picture desired to be printed. If the computer interfacing unit 12 isselected, selection may be made using the host computer 19 in place ofthe command device 8. The selected picture input means 7 then convertsthe externally inputted accessible digital picture data and/or analogpicture signals by analog/digital conversion into first digital picturedata which is routed via picture data input/output unit 27 to thepicture processing unit 6.

The aforementioned first digital picture data are inputted to the dataprocessing unit 5 in the picture processing unit 6 where picture data isstored, if necessary, in the picture memory 20. If the first digitalpicture data is not of ideal picture quality characteristics, the datais corrected for improving the picture quality of the display picture ondisplay 15 or on the external monitor or the picture quality of thepicture printed by the picture printing unit 3. If the first digitalpicture data is of specified picture characteristics, it is corrected orotherwise processed for improving the picture quality.

The picture data, corrected as described above, is output to display 15or to the external monitor to display the picture. If there are pluralpicture data that can have access to the picture data input unit 1,these picture data may be displayed on the display device 15 or on theexternal monitor via picture data input unit 1 and picture processingunit 6 to prompt the user to select the picture data he or she isinterested in under control by the user interface unit 28. If a pictureis selected, and if the picture data selected by the picture memory 20have not been inputted, the picture data input unit 1 is accessed tocapture the picture data into the picture processing unit 6.

The user interface unit 28 then inquires the user if he or she performsediting and working on the selected picture. If the user desires theprocessing, execution of the processing is selected to execute thenecessary processing to generate the second digital picture data in thepicture processing unit 6.

If, after the completion of the totality of the desired processingoperations, the user selects the execution of printing under control bythe user interface unit 28, the processing for conversion to thepreferred reproduction color of the edited and worked second digitalpicture data and the printing and outputting the picture of thepreferred reproduction color are executed in the picture processing unit6 to generate third digital picture data which then are converted toprinting data. The printer head 25 then is driven by the print headdriving unit 26 of the picture printing unit 3 to print a picturecorresponding to the printing data. During the printing, the recordingoperation by the printer head 25 and the operation of the recordingmedium are performed in synchronism with each other.

The present printer device is configured for correcting the setting ofdisplay output characteristics prescribing the printing picture qualityin display 15 and the external monitor in accordance with the printingpicture quality in the picture printing unit 3 or correcting the settingof the printing characteristics prescribing the printing picture qualityin the picture printing unit 3 in keeping with the setting of thedisplay output characteristics in accordance with the setting of thedisplay output characteristics prescribing the display picture qualityof the displayed picture, by the characteristics correction unit 4, sothat the printed picture by the picture printing unit 3 will beperceived as visually equivalent to the displayed picture, as discussedpreviously.

The processing in accordance with characteristics of picture data, theprocessing for displaying a picture on a picture display outputting unitwith the visually equivalent picture quality as the printed picture bythe picture printing unit, the contents and sequence of the processingfor converting the picture into the preferred reproduction color andprinting the resulting picture, and the variable parameters, are set andsaved at the outset or for each change.

FIG. 10 shows a circuit configuration of a printer device of the presentembodiment. The circuit configuration is similar to the configurationshown in FIG. 5 and includes an external connection equipment 13,picture input means 7, a picture data input/output unit 27, a pictureprocessing unit 6, a display 15, output port 16, a command device 8 anda picture printing unit 3. Specifically, the picture input means 7includes a picture data interface circuit 39, a removable medium drivingdevice 40, a film reading unit 41 and a computer interfacing unit 42,while the picture data input/output unit 27 is arranged as a picturedata input/output circuit 31.

The picture processing unit 6 is arranged as a data processing circuit36 having, internally, a data processing unit, a display deviceprocessing unit, a video signal processing unit and a printing outputprocessing unit.

The command device 8 includes plural keys 38 a, arranged on the presentprinter device to permit inputting by the user, a pen-touch input device38 b, as a pen-like tapered input device, formed on a liquid crystalmonitor 45 a arranged as the display device 15, to permit inputting bythe user, and a command device interfacing circuit 38 c to permitinputting to a circuit corresponding to the user interface unit 28 aslater explained. This command device interfacing circuit 38 c, adaptedto prevent mistaken input attributable to a chattering phenomenon etc,deems that, if the same portion of the key 38 a or the pen-touch inputdevice 38 b is thrust continuously for a pre-set time, the operation hasbeen done plural times, and transmits an input to the circuitcorresponding to the user interface unit 28 by the same plural times.

For display 15, there is provided the liquid crystal monitor 45 a, whilethere is also provided a display device output circuit 45 b, to whichpicture data in the picture memory 20 is transferred and whichsynthesizes a menu picture frame displayed on the liquid crystal monitor45 a and an operating display picture frame for the pen-touch inputdevice, based on the transferred picture data and a display controlsignal from the circuit corresponding to the user interface unit 28, forconversion into driving signals that can be displayed on the liquidcrystal monitor 45 a.

There is also provided a picture signal outputting circuit 46 which,based on the transferred picture data and a display control signal fromthe circuit corresponding to the user interface unit 28, synthesizes amenu picture frame displayed on the external monitor and a operatingdisplay picture frame for the pen-touch input device, for conversion tostandard picture signals that can be displayed on the external monitor,such as NTSC signal. In this case, the picture displayed on the liquidcrystal monitor 45 a and the picture displayed on the external monitormay be the same or distinct from each other.

There are also provided a print head driving circuit 56 and a printerhead 25, as the picture printing unit 3. There is also provided a printoutput mechanism control circuit 47 which, based on mechanical controlsignals from the software by a system control CPU 61, configured forperforming comprehensive control of a mechanism required for forming aprinted picture on a recording medium, such as a recording sheet, withthe aid of the printer head 25, drives various motors, clutches or headmaintenance mechanisms, accepts the input from various sensors used fordetecting the movement of the recording medium and the printer head,drives the mechanism required for printing, such as advising the systemcontrol CPU 61 of the input reception, and detects the driving state.

The printer device also includes the above-mentioned system control CPU61 employing a working RAM 64 by the control software in the system ROM62 or the flash memory 63. This system control CPU 61 performs thecomprehensive control of the entire printer device and operates as acircuit corresponding to he aforementioned user interface unit 28.

Therefore, the aforementioned respective units or circuits areinterconnected by a system control bus 65, to which are also connectedthe picture data input/output circuit 31, data processing circuit 36,command device interfacing circuit 38 c, display device output circuit45 b, picture signal outputting circuit 46, print output mechanismcontrol circuit 47 and the picture printing unit 3. Of these, thepicture data input/output circuit 31, data processing circuit 36,display device output circuit 45 b, picture signal outputting circuit 46and the picture printing unit 3 are also connected to a picture data bus66 of the picture memory 20.

The control software in the flash memory 63 can be exchanged from theremovable medium driving device 40 or the computer interfacing unit 42via the picture data input/output circuit 31.

If a control software is uniquely required for the operation of the dataprocessing circuit 36, and there lacks the ROM or the non-volatilememory in the data processing circuit 36, the software required in thedata processing circuit 36 may be configured to be transferred from thesystem ROM 62 or the flash memory 63 to the data processing circuit 36.It is preferred in this case to input the software required in the dataprocessing circuit 36 from the removable medium driving device 40 andthe computer interfacing unit 42 for storage transiently in the flashmemory 63 or in the working RAM 64 for subsequent transfer to the dataprocessing circuit 36.

There are the following types of control executed by the system controlCPU 61 by the control software in the system ROM 62 or in the flashmemory 63. First, there is the comprehensive control of the printerdevice. Other types of control include, for example, driving control forthe picture data interfacing circuit 39, removable medium driving device40, film reading unit 41 and the computer interfacing unit 42 via thepicture data input/output circuit 31, control on handling of inputpicture data and editing, working, synthesis and correction for picturedata entered under the above-mentioned driving control, picture displaycontrol on the liquid crystal monitor 45 a and on the external monitor,user interface control for controlling the input of an operationalcommand from the pen-touch input device 38 b and the output to theliquid crystal monitor 45 a and to the outside monitor, comprehensivecontrol of the picture printing unit 3 by the control of the print headdriving circuit 56, printer head 25 or the print output mechanismcontrol circuit 47, and other auxiliary control operations. Inparticular, in the present printer device, there is a control ofinputting program file and/or the parameter data from the picture datainterfacing circuit 39, removable medium driving device 40 and thecomputer interfacing unit 42 via the picture data input/output circuit31 to store and save the program file and/or the parameter data in theflash memory 63.

It is seen from the above that, in the mechanism control software by thesystem control CPU 61 and the print output mechanism control circuit 47,if the configuration and the operating method of the printer head 25,such as the line head or the serial head or the operating method for therecording medium, are changed, the software contents and the circuitcontents are changed. Stated differently, the control software and thecontrol circuit are determined by the mechanical structure of theprinter head 25.

Also, the flash memory 63, corresponding to the non-volatile storageunit 29 in FIG. 5, is adapted to hold the inner data even if the powersource of the present printer device is turned off, and may be comprisedof an S-RAM or a NOV-RAM backed up by batteries. Alternatively, theinner data may be receded, when turning off the power source of thepresent printer device, to a removable medium inserted into theremovable medium driving device 40 or to other non-volatile storagesites, with the receded inner data being read for execution when turningon the power source. The flash memory 63 is assumed to be outside thedata processing circuit 36 in FIG. 10 for convenience.

By so doing, the function of updating, changing and supplementing theoperational contents and sequence of the printer device of the presentinvention via the user interface unit may be implemented in addition tothe function provided in the data processing circuit 36, that is thefunction of correcting the printed picture of the picture printing unit3 and the displayed picture on the picture display output unit so thatthese will be perceived as being of equivalent picture quality, and thefunction of executing the processing of editing, working, synthesis,correction and conversion as desired by the user.

If, in addition to the control software inputted from the picture datainput unit, the control software for other than the picture processingportion of the present printer device is inputted and stored in theflash memory 63, it is possible to update, change or supplement theentire functions of the present printer device.

For printing, the following control is performed. The picture data orpicture signals, inputted from the external connection equipment 13 inFIG. 10, are converted by the picture data interfacing circuit 39,removable medium driving device 40, film reading unit 41 and thecomputer interfacing unit 42, corresponding to the picture input means7, into first digital picture data, which are inputted to the picturedata input/output circuit 31 corresponding to the picture datainput/output unit 27.

The first digital picture data are then routed via picture data bus 66to the data processing circuit 36 under control by the input/outputcontrol signals from the system control bus 65. The system control CPU61, of course, is controlling the timing etc.

The data processing circuit 36 performs pre-set processing to producesecond digital picture data, which is stored, if necessary, in thepicture memory 20. In this case, pre-set processing signals are routedfrom the key 38 a or the pen-touch input device 38 b via the commanddevice interfacing circuit 38 c to the data processing circuit 36. Thesystem control CPU 61, of course, is gain controlling the timing etc.

The second digital picture data, processed in a pre-set fashion by thedata processing circuit 36, is routed to the display device outputcircuit 45 b, picture signal outputting circuit 46 and to the print headdriving circuit 56 for displaying or printing a picture. It is notedthat the system control CPU 61 again is controlling the timing etc.while the respective devices discussed so far are also performing theirrespective functions.

A specified embodiment of the above-described data processing circuit 36is hereinafter explained. A first embodiment is shown in FIG. 11. Thatis, the data processing circuit uniquely includes a data processingcontrol system 74, plural calculating circuits 75, each having thefunction of picture data calculating units, and a data router circuit 76operating as a picture data transfer unit for routing the data to thecalculating circuits 75 and for controlling the destination of routingthe data outputted by the calculating circuits 75. The data processingcontrol system 74 is mainly constituted by a data processing CPU 71, adata processing program RAM 72 and a data processing working RAM 73 andoperates as a controller for controlling the calculating circuits 75,operating as picture data calculating units. The data router circuit 76is controlled by the data processing control system 74. The control fromthe system control CPU 61 shown in FIG. 6 is accepted by a systemcontrol bus interface 7. The data processing control system 74, datarouter circuit 76 and the system control bus interface 77 areinterconnected by a data processing bus 79. The data processing circuit36 also includes a picture data interface 78 for datainputting/outputting between the picture data bus 66 connected to thepicture memory 70 as shown in FIG. 10 and the data router circuit 76.The picture data interface 78 is controlled by the data processingcontrol system 74 via data router circuit 76.

That is, the control from the system control CPU 61 is accepted by thecontrol bus interface 77 and transmitted to the data processing CPU 71,from which the information such as that the operating state is routedfrom the data processing CPU 71 to the system control CPU 61. Theabove-described data processing circuit executes the data processing inthe following sequence. The operation in which data processing isexecuted on picture data held in the picture memory 20 and again storedin the picture memory 20 is now explained.

First, the control software to be executed (data processing software) istransferred from the flash memory 63 or the system ROM 62 in the systemcontrol CPU 61 via the system control bus interface 77 to the dataprocessing program RAM 72. That is, the flash memory 63 or the systemROM 62 of the system control CPU 61 operates as a non-volatile memoryfor storing and saving the contents of the control software in thecontroller adapted to control the picture data calculating units.

The specified transfer timing may be start-up time when the power isturned on, before the first digital picture data starts to be processedin the picture processing unit or when a command is inputted byinputting means. A specified example of the command input timing by theinput means is the time when the processing executed by the dataprocessing circuit 36 is selected by e.g., the pen-touch input device 38b subject to a user command. If there is no control software (dataprocessing software) for execution in the data processing program RAM 72of the data processing control system 74 operating as a controller, orif the control software (data processing software) is to be changed, theabove transfer can be executed to change the contents of the controlsoftware (data processing software).

The system control CPU 61 commands the data processing CPU 71 to startthe execution of data processing via system control bus interface 77.The data processing CPU 71 determines the function of execution of thecalculating circuits 75, based on the transferred control software (dataprocessing software), while also determining the input/output to thecalculating circuits 75 executed in the data router circuit 76 operatingas a picture data transfer unit and the input/output sequence of theinput/output for the picture data interface 78.

When the specified processing is started, the data processing CPU 71reads out the picture data for processing, stored in the picture memory20, via picture data interface 78, based on the transferred controlsoftware (data processing software), to input the read-out picture datain a specified one of the calculating circuits 75 via data routercircuit 76. The calculating circuits 75 execute the data processing onthe input picture data, based on the control software (data processingsoftware) to write the resulting picture data in the picture memory 20via the data router circuit 76 and the picture data interface 78.

That is, the editing, working, synthesizing, correcting and convertingprocessing operations, executed by the plural calculating circuits 75,are executed responsive to the original functions of the originallystored software, or, to subsequently updated, rewritten or supplementedfunctions, namely the control software inputted by the picture datainput unit 1.

The control software (data processing software) can also control thefunctions of the display device processing unit 22, picture signalprocessing unit 23 and the printing output processing unit 24.

If the next calculations are to be made in succession, picture data areinputted via the data router circuit 76 to the next specifiedcalculating circuit 75. By sequentially reading out picture data in thepicture memory 20 to execute the calculation processing to write theresulting data as picture data in the picture memory 20, data processingis executed in accordance with the control software (data processingsoftware).

During processing of picture data or after the end of the processing ofthe totality of picture data, the data processing CPU 71 apprises thesystem control CPU 61 of the processing state or the resultant state viathe system control bus interface 77 to enable the system control CPU 61to comprehend the process and the result of the data processing beingexecuted. The data processing working RAM 73 is used for holding dataprocessing parameters routed from the system control CPU 61 and forholding the operating states of the data processing CPU 71.

The plural calculating circuits 75, operating as the picture datacalculation means, are used differently in the following manner.

For example, it suffices if the plural calculating circuits 75 performthe same operations, respective pre-set ranges of the calculatingcircuits 75 and the first digital picture data are associated with eachother and if the respective pre-set ranges of the first digital picturedata are processed identically by the associated respective calculatingcircuits 75.

Also, it suffices if the plural calculating circuits 75 performdifferent operations, respective pre-set ranges of the calculatingcircuits 75 and the first digital picture data are associated with eachother and if the respective pre-set ranges of the first digital picturedata are processed differentially by the associated respectivecalculating circuits 75.

In these cases, it suffices if the above pre-set ranges are not lessthan one row or not less than one column, a range specified by a blockin the first digital picture data or a range determined by the picturecontents in the first digital picture data.

For example, if the respective calculating circuits 75 perform the sameprocessing, and the pre-set range corresponds to one row or one columnin the first digital picture data, it suffices if the processing of therow or column of the first digital picture data is executed by acalculating circuit A of the plural calculating circuits 75, while theprocessing of the row or column of the second digital picture data isexecuted by a calculating circuit B of the plural calculating circuits75.

For example, if the respective calculating circuits 75 perform differentprocessing, and the pre-set range is a range determined by the picturecontents of the first digital picture data, it suffices if the a picturepattern in a picture is deciphered and a specified picture pattern isprocessed by a calculating circuit A of the plural calculating circuits75, while the processing of the remaining portions is executed by acalculating circuit B of the plural calculating circuits 75.

For example, if the respective calculating circuits 75 perform differentprocessings, and the pre-set range is the range determined by picturecontents in the data of the first digital picture data, it suffices if aleft side one-third portion of a picture pattern in the picture isprocessed by a calculating circuit A, the center one-third portion ofthe picture pattern in the picture is processed by a calculating circuitB and a right side one-third portion of a picture pattern in the pictureis processed by a calculating circuit C.

In this case, required processing operations are executed simultaneouslyby the plural calculating circuits 75, thus reducing the time requiredfor effecting pre-set processing on the picture data.

If the required processing operations are executed in this mannersimultaneously by the plural calculating circuits 75, and the processingresults are displayed for the respective ranges associated with thecalculating circuits 75, the processing results can be checked fromplural points, thus facilitating the ascertainment of the user.

Also, in the present printer device, the calculating circuits 75 mayperform different processing operations, while the respectivecalculating circuits 75 may perform different processing operationssequentially on the entire data of the first digital picture data.

By so doing, the sole picture data read out from the picture memory areprocessed a plural number of times in order to perform different pluralprocessing operations, thus decreasing the number of accessingoperations to the picture memory to reduce the time required in thepre-set processing operations.

Thus, the time which elapses since the user issues an operation start-upcommand until the end of the operation is reduced to reduce the timeduring which the user is kept waiting.

In the present printer device, if the processing contents of the pluralcalculating circuits 75 can be changed between the above-mentionedrespective patterns, and an optimum pattern is used depending on theprocessing contents for the picture data, the overall processing time isadvantageously reduced.

Although the foregoing embodiment is configured so that the calculatingcircuits 75 operate in concert, it is also possible for the calculatingcircuits 75 to perform respectively different processing operations.

For example, if suffices if the calculating circuit A of the calculatingcircuits 75 performs correction so that the printed picture printed bythe picture printing unit will be of visually equivalent picture qualityas the picture displayed on the display/monitor, and if the calculatingcircuit A of the calculating circuits 75 performs processing operations,such as editing, working, synthesis, correction or conversion, asdesired by the user, in accordance with the user command.

Also, it is possible for the calculating circuit A of the calculatingcircuits 75 to perform printing and outputting for a picture and for thecalculating circuit B of the calculating circuits 75 to performprocessing operations, such as editing, working, synthesis, correctionor conversion, as desired by the user, in accordance with the usercommand.

It is also possible for a certain number of plural calculating circuits75 to be operated in a correlated fashion, with the remaining circuitsperforming respective independent processing operations.

The methods for using these calculating circuits 75 may be determinedfrom the outset, or may be varied by setting by a data processingprogram of a control software (data processing software). The number ofthe calculating circuits 75, connected parallel to one another, may besuitably selected and set depending on the required processing speed,complexity in processing, size of picture data and the scale of thecircuitry constituting the respective calculating circuits 75.

If a variable number of the calculating circuits 75 is used as picturedata calculating units, it suffices if the number of the calculatingcircuits 75 is set depending on the extent of the targeted processingcontents, such that it becomes possible to offer high-grade,medium-grade and low-grade printing device types to the market.

The data processing circuit may be configured as shown in FIG. 12. Thedata processing circuit, shown in FIG. 12, is similar to the circuit ofFIG. 11 less the calculating circuits 75 and the data router circuit 76and hence the same reference numerals are used to depict similar partsand the corresponding description is omitted.

However, as the data processing CPU 71, a device which enableshigh-speed processing is used. Thus, a DSP, RISC CPU or a dedicated dataprocessing CPU is used. In this data processing circuit, the dataprocessing CPU 71 operates as the picture data calculation unit and aspicture data transfer unit. That is, if the control software (dataprocessing software) is time-divisionally multiplexed, apseudo-operation similar to that of plural calculating circuits 75 shownin FIG. 11 may be executed.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the data processing circuit. In FIG.13, plural data processing circuits 80 are arranged parallel to oneanother, and are connected via system control bus interface 77 to acontrol system for the entire device including the system control CPU61, while being connected via the picture data interface 78 to thepicture data bus 66. Each data processing circuit 80 may be constitutedby a dedicated calculation circuit, by a universal calculating circuitand a universal calculation control circuit, or solely by a universalcalculation control circuit. The control software by the system controlCPU 61 is transferred via system control bus interface 77 to each dataprocessing circuit 80 to cause the data processing to be executed on thepicture data in the picture memory 20. That is, the plural dataprocessing circuits 80 operate as the picture data calculating units andas picture data transfer units. Each data processing circuit 80 may beconfigured to perform the same or different processing operationsdepending on the data arranging manner as in the case of the calculatingcircuits 75 shown in FIG. 11.

The control software in the flash memory 63 can be exchanged byinputting via the picture data input/output circuit 31 from the picturedata interfacing circuit 39, removable medium driving device 40, filmreading unit 41 and the computer interfacing unit 42, as discussedpreviously. In this case, the control software may be inputted fromoutside by controlling the picture data input/output circuit 31, picturedata interfacing circuit 39, removable medium driving device 40, filmreading unit 41 and the computer interfacing unit 42, by the controlprogram stored and held in the system control CPU 61, and the controlprogram of the program loading unit stored and held in the system ROM 62and in the flash memory 63.

In this case, the control program of the program loading unit isarranged to be unalterable, or the change priority sequence of thecontrol program of the program loading unit is arranged to be lower thanthe change sequence of other software.

Specifically, the control program of the program loading unit isarranged to be altered only by changing the program ROM. Alternatively,the control program is arranged to be changed by being rewritten orupdated only on setting and inputting a password, or only on performinga specified setting, such as manufacturer, service or supervisorsetting.

By so doing, it is possible to prevent the control program of theprogram loading unit from being damaged during reading of an externalcontrol software.

Also, the program file and/or the parameter data can be inputted fromthe program data input unit via the picture data input/output circuit31, picture data interfacing circuit 39, removable medium driving device40, film reading unit 41 and computer interfacing unit 42.

It is possible in this case to control the picture data input/outputcircuit 31, picture data interfacing circuit 39, removable mediumdriving device 40, film reading unit 41 and computer interfacing unit 42by the control program of the program loading unit stored and held inthe system control CPU 61, system ROM 62 or in the flash memory 63 toinput the program file and/or the parameter data from outside.

In this case, the control program of the program loading unit isarranged to be unalterable, or the change priority sequence of thecontrol program of the program loading unit is arranged to be lower thanthe change sequence of the program file and/or the parameter data.

Specifically, the control program of the program loading unit isarranged to be altered only by changing the program ROM. Alternatively,the control program is arranged to be changed by being rewritten orupdated only on setting and inputting a password, or only on performinga specified setting, such as manufacturer, service or supervisorsetting.

By so doing, it is possible to prevent the control program of theprogram loading unit from being damaged during reading of a controlsoftware from outside.

Moreover, in the printer device of the present invention, it isdesirable that the format for the program file and that for theparameter data are unified into a common format and that adiscriminating indicia is provided in the common format fordistinguishing the program file from the parameter data.

More specifically, it is desirable that the format for the program fileand that for the parameter data are unified into a common format andthat the discriminating indicia (ID) is provided in a predeterminedportion in the common format for distinguishing the program file fromthe parameter data.

By so doing, in actual inputting in accordance with the control programof the program loading unit of the aforementioned program data inputunit, it can be judged whether the input file or data is the programfile or the parameter data, or for which function the updating,rewriting or addition is to be made, if the ID of the common format isfirst checked, such that the file or data can be assembled into anoptimum portion for execution in the present printer device.

Moreover, in the present printer device, in controlling thecharacteristics correction unit 4 and/or the picture processing unit 6and/or the command device 8 as input means based on the program fileand/or the parameter data inputted via the program data input unit orstored and held in the non-volatile storage unit 29, thestarting/terminating method for the program file and the accessinginformation are preferably unified, whereby the program file can beexecuted by the printer device of the present invention. Moreover, sincethe parameter data are unified in the form of description, it ispossible to effect the processing of the present printer device based oneach program file by occasionally having reference to the respectiveparameter data.

In addition, it is possible to develop the program file or the parameterdata easily even if the user is not informed of the pertinence to otherportions of the present printer device, such that these can be inputtedfrom the picture data input unit to carry out the functions of thepresent printer device.

Therefore, if the starting and terminating methods of the program fileof the present printer device and the accessing information aredisclosed, it is possible for the user to develop the program file orthe parameter data easily.

Also, if the program file or the parameter data are stored, and arecording medium to which inputting may be made from a program datainputting unit is furnished, the functions of the present printer devicecan be updated, changed or supplemented easily.

Next, the data processing flow in the present printer device isexplained with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, in which slanted linesegments attached to the data flow lines in FIG. 4 indicate that thecorresponding data is 8 or more bits/color data. As explained previouslywith reference to FIGS. 5 and 10, RGB picture data externally inputtedto the computer interfacing unit 42 of the picture input means 7 of FIG.14 are outputted as RGB picture data to the picture data input/outputcircuit 31. In the picture data interfacing circuit 39, removable mediumdriving device 40 and the film reading unit 41, in the picture inputmeans 7, read-out picture data or video signals are outputted as RGBdata to the picture data input/output circuit 31.

The picture data input/output circuit 31 processes picture data from thepicture input means 7 so that these data can be handled equivalently tooutput the resulting data to the data processing unit 5.

Referring to FIG. 15, the data processing unit 5 is made up of acompression/expansion unit 81, an enlarging/contracting 82, a gradationcorrecting unit 83, a color tone correction unit 84, a contour enhancingcorrecting unit 85, an additional correction unit 86, a picturesynthesis editing unit 87 and a picture working unit 88. The dataprocessing unit 5 corrects picture data for improving the picturequality of the picture displayed on the display device 45 a or thepicture printed by the picture printing unit 3, unless the picture datainputted from the picture data input/output circuit 31 is of idealpicture quality characteristics. The data processing unit 5 alsoperforms processing for improving the picture quality, if the picturedata has characteristic properties.

The compression/expansion unit 81 is required for holding the picturedata in the picture memory 20 in a reversibly or irreversibly compressedform. The RGB picture data inputted to the data processing unit 5,processed RGB data and occasionally RGB data between respectiveprocessing stages, are compressed and held in the picture memory 20 ascompressed picture data. The compression/expansion unit 81 also has thefunction of reading out and expanding picture data compressed and heldin the picture memory 20 to execute various operations on the expandedpicture data as non-compressed RGB picture data to output the resultingdata to respective portions in the data processing unit 5.

When inputted to the data processing unit 5, the RGB picture data areinputted to the enlarging/contracting 82. The enlarging/contracting 82operates for enlarging or contracting picture data if the input picturedata is outside the size range that permits handling by the dataprocessing unit 5 of the present printer device.

The RGB picture data from the enlarging/contracting 82 are inputted tothe gradation correcting unit 83 operating for correcting the gradationcharacteristics of the input picture data for improving the picturequality of the printed and outputted picture if the gradationcharacteristic histogram of the input picture data exhibits significantexcursions. In particular, if the exposure light volume is not optimumat the time of imaging the object, the gradation correcting unit 83operates for improving the gradation characteristics of the entirepicture by correcting the entire picture which tends to become too darkor too bright. The gradation correcting unit 83 also corrects gammacharacteristics of the input picture data if such correction ispossible.

The RGB picture data from the gradation correcting unit 83 is theninputted to the color tone correction unit 84. The color tone correctionunit 84 operates for correcting the color tone characteristics of theinput picture data for improving the picture quality of the printed andoutputted picture, such as when the input picture data exhibitssignificant excursions in the color tone characteristics, as in the caseof the above-mentioned gradation correcting unit 83. If specified colortones, in particular the color tone of the skin color or the gray color,are deviated from optimum ranges, the color tone correction unit 84 canalso make corrections to optimize the deviated portions, in addition tomaking comprehensive color tone corrections.

The RGB picture data from the color tone correction unit 84 are inputtedto the contour enhancing correcting unit 85. This contour enhancingcorrecting unit 85 operates for correcting the contour for contourenhancement to optimize the contour of the image if the input picturedata exhibits unclear contour or is emphasized excessively.

The RGB data from the contour enhancing correcting unit 85 are inputtedto the additional correction unit 86. The additional correction unit 86operates if there is added the processing for improving the inputpicture quality in addition to the above-mentioned processingoperations.

Although the foregoing has described an embodiment of sequentiallyprocessing input picture data in the respective processing units,unneeded processing can be omitted, while the processing sequence can,of course, be changed.

The RGB picture data, processed as described above, is then entered tothe picture synthesis editing unit 87 and to the picture working unit88. These units process the input picture in a variety of ways, based ona user command from the user interface unit and synthesize/edit pluralinput pictures to generate an ultimately printed picture.

In these units, picture patterns provided from the outset in inputpicture data can be synthesized. Moreover, it is possible to input apicture pattern desired by the user by a command device, such as apen-touch interfacing unit, under control by the user interface unit inthe course of the editing operation, to synthesize the picture patternand the input picture pattern.

The control software doing the synthesis, editing and working of thepicture data and the picture pattern provided from the outset can beconfigured to be entered newly from a removable medium driving deviceand a computer interfacing unit.

The RGB signals, outputted by the data processing unit 5, are inputtedto the display device processing unit 22, video signal processing unit23 and to the printing output processing unit 24.

The display device processing unit 22 executes the processing forcorrecting the display output properties characteristic of the displaydevice 45 a if the display device 45 a has characteristic display outputproperties, such that, if picture data outputted by the data processingunit 5 is directly displayed by the display device 45 a, neither highquality display nor even the display comparable to the picture qualityobtained on printing can be obtained because of the display outputproperties on the display device 45 a. This display device processingunit 22 is made up of a print adaptive correction unit 91, as laterexplained, an output characteristics correction unit 92, as laterexplained, and an output gamma conversion unit 93, adapted forcorrecting output gamma characteristics proper to the display device.

The video signal processing unit 23 executes processing of convertingoutput picture data of the data processing unit 5 into standard picturesignals represented by NTSC signals and outputting the resultingconverted signals. This video signal processing unit 23 is made up of aprint adaptive correction unit 94, as later explained, an outputcharacteristics conversion unit 95 for performing necessary correctionsother than that of output gamma characteristics as later explained andan output gamma conversion unit 96, arrayed in this order. In the videosignal processing unit 23, if the representable characteristics range ofpicture data differ from the range of representation prescribed bystandard picture signals, the representable range of the picture signalsis converted into a range of representation of standard picture signals.Meanwhile, it is possible with the video signal processing unit 23 toturn standard picture signals into picture signals conforming to thestandard picture signals. In particular, enlarging the saturation, thatis increasing brightness, in comparison with that of the standardpicture signals, is executed to make a more beautiful representation ofa picture.

The printing output processing unit 24 converts picture data to signalsthat can be inputted to the print head driving circuit 56 (printingdata) in order to record picture data outputted by the data processingunit 5 from the printer head 25 on the recording medium. The processingin the printing output processing unit 24 is implemented by conversionprocessing by a lookup table (LUT), calculation processing exploiting acalculation circuit that is able to perform product sum processing at anelevated speed, calculation processing by a software having high speedprocessing algorithm, or processing by a dedicated conversion circuit.If, in sequentially executing the calculation processing, the samenumber of bits as that of each data in the input picture data is used,the effective precision of each data tends to be lowered. In such case,the number of bits for each data is set during calculation so as to behigher than the number of bits in the initial picture data and isdecreased in the last processing to avoid the effective precision frombeing lowered.

The printing output processing unit 24 is made up of a preferredreproduction color processing unit 97, as later explained, an RGB-CMYconversion unit 98, a color correction unit 99, a black extractionunder-color removing unit 100, an output gamma correction gradationcorrection unit 101, a sharpness correction unit 102 and an outputcharacteristics conversion unit 103, arrayed in this order. This,however, is merely illustrative such that any other suitableconfiguration may also be used.

The RGB-CMY conversion unit 98 converts the RGB picture data into dataof inks or toners of respective colors of C (cyan), M (magenta) and Y(yellow) used in the printer head 25. This conversion is realized bygray level log conversion, complementary color conversion or by linearmasking conversion.

The picture data, converted as described above into CMY picture data, isinputted to the color correction unit 99. The color correction unit 99corrects the excursion, especially the color hue and the saturation, ofthe picture printed by the picture printing unit 3, caused by the factthat spectroscopic absorption characteristics of the inks or toners ofCMY following conversion into CMY picture data differ from idealcharacteristics proper to the subtractive color mixing method.

The color correction unit 99 is realized by conversion by the look-uptable (LUT) and calculations, linear masking calculations and bynon-linear masking calculations. It is a frequent occurrence that therepresentable maximum characteristic range of the picture data differsfrom the representable maximum range of printed picture on the recordingmedium by the printer head 25. In this consequence, if the maximum rangeby the picture data is broader than the maximum range by printing, theportion of the representable range of picture data exceeding therepresentable range of printing cannot be reproduced, if nocountermeasures are used. Therefore, in the color correction unit 99, itis necessary to compress the picture data in its entirety or convert thepicture data by clipping in order to represent this exceeding portion onthe printed picture. There are occasions wherein a conversion method isused to avoid excursions in the color tone otherwise caused by thisclipping conversion.

The CMY picture data then are inputted to the black extractionunder-color removing unit 100. The black extraction under-color removingunit 100 performs the processing in which, if there is an ink or a tonerof a black color, referred to below as BK, in the printer head 25, andthe respective data of CMY have a BK component, the portion of the BKcomponent is replaced by a BK ink or a BK toner. The BK components inthe CMY data, replaced by BK, are removed from the data value of the CMYpicture data.

There are a variety of techniques for converting the BK component in CMYinto the BK ink or toner, such as a method of totally replacing the BKcomponent into a BK ink or toner, a method of replacing a pre-setproportion of the BK component into a BK ink or toner, or replacing theBK component into a BK ink or toner in an area higher than a pre-setgray level. By representing the BK component in the CMY data with the BKink or toner, the black level in the CMY data, that can be reproducedonly insufficiently by respective inks or toners of the CMY system, canbe realized to a sufficient level. It is noted that the BK componentdata is indicated as K in FIG. 14.

Meanwhile, the BK component data is indicated as K in FIG. 14.

The CMY picture data then are inputted to the output gamma correctiongradation correction unit 101, which is configured for performing outputgamma correction and gradation correction suited to printing outputcharacteristics proper to the recording ink or toner and the half-tonereproducing method in the picture reproducing characteristics on therecording medium of the printer head 25. This output gamma correctiongradation correction unit 101 effects conversion on the original picturedata such as to optimize the gradation reproduction on printing theoriginal picture data.

The CMYK picture data is then inputted to the sharpness correction unit102 which is configured for effecting contour enhancement and smoothingto improve the printing picture quality.

The CMYK picture data are inputted to the output characteristicsconversion unit 103 which is configured for effecting characteristiccorrection depending on the types of the printer head 25, driving methodof the printer head 25, type of the recording medium and characteristiccorrection proper to the type of the ink or the toner to improve thepicture quality. Specifically, the output characteristics conversionunit 103 effects ambient temperature correction at the time of printing,hysteresis correction and correction of fluctuations of the respectiveelements of the printer head 25. Of these correcting operations, thosepreferably performed in the print head driving circuit 56 can beoptimally performed in the print head driving circuit 56.

In the printing output processing unit 24 of the present printer device,there are built-in the preferred reproduction color processing unit 97,as described above. This preferred reproduction color processing unit 97is configured for converting the picture printed on the recording mediumsuch that the picture printed on the recording medium will be perceivedas being beautiful to a majority of viewers.

If, in picture representation specified by the values of the originalpicture data, in particular in color representation, the picture data issimply converted into CMY data so that the picture data will beequivalent simply colorimetrically, that is only on the basis ofcolorimetric values obtained by a color meter, and the converted picturedata is directly printed on the recording medium, the resulting pictureis such a one having reproducibility of colors (color hue, brightnessand saturation) not felt to be desirable by a majority of viewers andwhich is low in saturation, that is low in impressiveness. Thus, thepreferred reproduction color processing unit 97 analyzes the datacontents of the RGB picture data inputted from the data processing unit5 to convert picture data of specified picture areas and data ranges inaccordance with the above-mentioned preferred reproduction color oraverage memory color.

That is, the printing output processing unit 24 performs theabove-mentioned processing operations on the RGB picture data,previously converted by the preferred reproduction color processing unit97 in accordance with the preferred reproduction color or the averagememory color, with the resulting processed picture data being thenprinted by the picture printing unit 3 to produce the printed picture.If the processing by this preferred reproduction color processing unit97 is omitted, the input picture data are processed directly.

The printer device of the present embodiment is configured forcorrecting the setting of the display output characteristics, and forprescribing the display picture quality in the display/monitor inaccordance with the setting of the printing characteristics prescribingthe printing picture quality in the picture printing unit 3, in order torender the display picture on the display device 45 a and on theexternal monitor visually equivalent in picture quality to the printedpicture by the picture printing unit 3.

Specifically, correction parameters indicating the contents of thecorrection to be effected by the display device processing unit 22 andby the video signal processing unit 23 in order to visually equate thepicture quality, are inputted to the print adaptive correction unit 91of the display device processing unit 22 and to the print adaptivecorrection unit 94 of the video signal processing unit 23 in accordancewith the desired change of the printing characteristics of the printingoutput processing unit 24 and with the processing contents.

That is, in the display device processing unit 22, the RGB picture datahas the correction parameters in the print adaptive correction unit 91to which it is inputted first. The processing proceeds in this state andthe result of processing is displayed on the display device 45 a.

The same applies for the video signal processing unit 23, that is, theRGB picture data has the correction parameters in the print adaptivecorrection unit 94 to which it is inputted first. The processingproceeds in this state and the result of processing is displayed on theexternal display.

The result is that the picture displayed on the display device 45 a isequivalent in picture quality to that printed by the picture printingunit 3.

This processing is carried out in the printing output processing unit 24on the picture processed by the preferred reproduction color processingunit 97 or on the picture not processed by the preferred reproductioncolor processing unit 97.

In the above-described embodiment, the display output characteristics ofthe display device processing unit 22 and the video signal processingunit 23 are corrected in accordance with the processing contents by theprinting output processing unit 24 to visually equate the picturequality of the displayed picture by the picture display output unit andthat of the picture printed by the picture printing unit. It is howeverpossible to match the printing characteristics of the picture printingunit 3, specifically the processing contents of the printing outputprocessing unit 24, to the display output characteristics of the displaydevice processing unit 22 and the video signal processing unit 23.

That is, the data processing flow may be set as shown in FIG. 16, whichdiffers from FIG. 14 only in that the display device processing unit 22lacks in the print adaptive correction unit 91 and the video signalprocessing unit 23 lacks in the print adaptive correction unit 94, sothat there is no indicating line for correction parameters from theprinting output processing unit 24. Therefore, the other portions areindicated by the same reference numerals and the correspondingdescription is omitted for clarity.

However, if the data processing flow is as indicated in the method ofFIG. 16, the correction parameters specifying the contents of thecorrection to be performed by the printing output processing unit 24 tovisually equate the picture quality are inputted to the color correctionunit 99 and to the output gamma correction gradation correction unit 101of the printing output processing unit 24, in accordance with changes inthe display output characteristics of the display device processing unit22.

That is, in the printing output processing unit 24, the RGB picture datahas the correction parameters in the color correction unit 99 and theoutput gamma correction gradation correction unit 101, whichsubstantially govern the picture characteristics.

The processing proceeds in this state and the results of the processingare printed by the picture printing unit 3. The result is that thepicture quality of the displayed picture on the display device 45 a isvisually equivalent to that of the printed picture by the pictureprinting unit 3.

Preferably, a non-volatile memory is preferably provided in the displaydevice processing unit 22, video signal processing unit 23 and in theprinting output processing unit 24, and the correction parameters areheld in the rewritable state, since then the processing can beprosecuted at all times using optimum correction parameters. A specifieddisplay example of displaying a menu picture etc. on the display device15 or on the external monitor, discussed previously, is hereinafterexplained with reference to an operating sequence. The initial pictureamong these pictures is a menu picture 110 shown as an example in FIG.17. It is assumed here that a pre-set portion on the picture is directlytouched for inputting. On the picture, plural selection keys 111,indicating the names for selecting the external connection equipmentsand picture inputting means, are displayed, while a picture display area112 is mainly displayed, as shown in FIG. 17. If an external connectionequipment and picture inputting means are selected by the selection key111, a picture 113 accessible in the selected means is displayed in thepicture display area 112 as a reduced-size picture.

On the picture 110, there are also displayed a detail setting key 114,used for selecting the picture 113 under a specified condition, anediting/working/correcting key 115 used for editing or working theselected picture 113 and a cancellation key 116 for aborting theprocessing.

If the user selects and specifies one of the external connectionequipment and picture inputting means by the selection key 111, pluralpictures 113 that can now be read are displayed in the picture displayarea 112. If there is the ancillary information to the information ofthe picture 113, for example, the header information, the information isdisplayed in association with the respective pictures 113.

If then the user selects the desired picture 113 from among the pluraldisplayed pictures 113, the selected picture is displayed in a mannerindicating such selection.

Preferably, conditions etc. can be configured to be inputted onselection of the detail setting key 114 so that the user can select thepicture 113 under specified conditions of the imaging time and data orthe imaging sequence.

Also preferably, pre-set editing, working, synthesis or correction canbe configured to be effected on selection of theediting/working/correcting key 115 so that the user can perform desiredprocessing on the selected picture 113.

A picture for processing is desirably displayed on the picture selectedas described above. That is, a selected picture 117, plural processingselection keys 118 indicating the names of the different types ofprocessing operations A, B, C, . . . , X, a printing key 119 commandingthe start of the printing and a cancellation key 120 for commandingaborting the processing, as shown in FIG. 18A. That is, the user selectsthe processing selection keys 118 to execute the desired processingoperation for the picture 117, e.g., to perform picture editing as oneprocessing operation, or adjust brightness of the image as a differentprocessing operation, etc. At this time, the fact of the processingbeing executed and the picture indicating the results of the processingare displayed in the picture 117.

If a specified portion in the picture 117 is specified as a processingstart point, it is preferred that the indication of an area in whichprocessing has come to a close is gradually changed to thepost-processing indication, since then it can be confirmed to whichportion in the picture 117 the processing has been executed.

In effecting the processing, the processing may be assumed to the aprocessing having variable parameters and a processing not havingvariable parameters.

It is assumed that the processing A has variable parameters. If suchprocessing is selected, it is sufficient if a picture 110 is displayedwhich includes a picture 117, a processing display portion 121indicating the current processing, a selection key 122 indicatingreversion to the previous picture (picture shown in FIG. 18A), acancellation key 123 indicating the aborting of the processing, avariable parameter selecting portion 126 and a decision key 127 forestablishing the processing, as shown in FIG. 18B.

The variable parameter selecting portion 126 includes a slide volumeindicating portion 125 for indicating the level of the variableparameter, and adjustment keys 124 a, 124 b for increasing anddecreasing the variable parameters, as shown in FIG. 18B.

Here, if the left adjustment key 124 a in FIG. 18B is thrust, the levelof the variable parameter is moved towards left, whereas, if the rightadjustment key 124 b in FIG. 18B is thrust, the level of the variableparameter is moved towards right. If, for example, the variableparameter is the picture brightness, the left adjustment key 124 a inFIG. 18 b is a brightness lowering key and the right adjustment key 124b in FIG. 18 b is a brightness elevating key, the picture is displayedwith varying brightness by adjusting the adjustment keys 124 a, 124 bfor changing the level of the slide volume indicating portion 125.

It is assumed that the processing A has no variable parameter. If suchprocessing is selected, it is sufficient if a picture 117 is displayedwhich includes a picture 117, a processing display portion 121indicating the current processing, a selection key 122 indicatingreversion to the previous picture (picture shown in FIG. 18B), acancellation key 123 indicating the aborting of the processing, and adecision key 127 for establishing the processing, as shown in FIG. 18C.

If the processing operations are performed on the pictures shown inFIGS. 18B and 18C, and the user has recognized that the processing canbe terminated, he or she selects the decision key 127. For printing, theuser reverts to the picture shown in FIG. 18A and selects the print key119 to effect printing.

Reference is now had to the flowchart of FIGS. 19 to 21 for illustratingthe schematic operation of the present printer device. Referring to FIG.19, the power source is turned on at step S1. This displays theprocessing menu at step S2 as shown in FIG. 17. It is then verified atstep S3 whether or not a selection command for the picture input meanswith which to enter picture data or the external connection equipmenthas been issued. If the command has been issued, the commanded subjectis selected. For example, the picture data interfacing unit is driven atstep S4. Since there are plural picture input means with which to enterpicture data and plural external connection equipments, the removablemedium driving is effected at step S5, the film reading is effected atstep S6 and the computer interfacing unit driving is effected at stepS7. That is, the program branches to one of steps S4 to S7 depending onthe selection at step S3.

On the other hand, if there is issued the selection command for theplural picture input means with which to enter picture data or theplural external connection equipments, it is again verified at step S3whether or not the selection command for the plural picture input meanswith which to enter picture data or the plural external connectionequipments has been issued.

The picture data, outputted by the picture input means or the pluralexternal connection equipment, selected at steps S4 to S7, is displayedat step S8 in the display device or in the external monitor. If pluralpicture data are outputted by the selected the picture input means orthe plural external connection equipment, plural output picture data aredisplayed as plural reduced-size pictures on the display device or inthe external monitor.

At the next step S9, it is judged whether or not the picture input meanswith which to input picture data or the external connection equipment isto be changed. In the absence of the command for changing the selectionof the picture input means with which to input picture data or theexternal connection equipment, it is verified at step S10 whether or notthe selection command for the picture for processing is issued. By theprocessing here is meant the editing, working or correction by thepicture processing unit, printing by the picture printing unit and theprocessings to be executed for these processing operations.

If a selection command for the picture input means with which to inputpicture data or the external connection equipment is again issuedwithout selecting the picture for processing from the plural displayedpictures, the picture input means with which to input picture data orthe external connection equipment is again selected at step S9 and,depending on the selection, the program branches to one of steps S4 toS7.

As for the picture selected at step S10, the picture selectionprocessing which testifies to the selection is effected at step S11.Then, at step S12, the selected picture is displayed such as to testifyto the selection.

At step S13, it is verified whether or not a command will be issued foreffecting the editing, working or correction on the selected picture. Ifthe command for execution is issued, picture data of the picture inquestion is read at step S14. If the picture for processing is notselected at step S10, the program directly moves to step S13. In theabsence of the command for executing the editing, working and correctionat step S13, it is again verified whether or not the picture input meanswith which to input picture data or the external connection equipment isto be selected.

By sequentially passing through the steps S9, S10 and S13, the programawaits the command for selection change of the picture input means orthe external connection equipment, the command for selecting the picturefor processing and the command for execution of the editing, working orcorrection.

The picture data, read as a picture on which to execute the processing,such as editing, working or correction, is corrected at step S15. Thecorrection here is effected for improving the picture quality of apicture displayed on the display device or on the external monitor or apicture printed by the picture printing unit. After this correction, thepicture in question, displayed and corrected as shown in FIG. 18A, isdisplayed at step S16. Then, at step S17, it is verified whether or nota print command will be issued.

In the absence of the printing command, it is verified whether or not acommand for executing various processing operations will be issued.Thus, it is verified at step S18 whether or not the processing A (e.g.,brightness control) is to be effected. If the command is issued, it isprompted at step S19 to input the variable parameter concerning theprocessing A. If the variable parameter is inputted (e.g., by the useradjusting the brightness adjustment key as in FIG. 18B) the processing Ais executed at step S20. At step S21, the picture resulting from theprocessing A is corrected on the basis of the setting of the displayoutput characteristics and the setting of the printing characteristics,as corrected by the characteristics correction unit, and the correctedpicture is displayed on the picture display output unit. This displaypicture is rendered visually equivalent to the picture printed by thepicture printing unit. In the absence of an input of the variableparameter concerning the processing A, prompted at step S19, the programawaits the inputting of the variable parameter concerning the processingA.

In the absence of the command for execution of the processing A at stepS18, it is verified at step S22 whether or not the processing B is to beperformed. If this command is issued, inputting of the variableparameters concerning the processing B is prompted at step S23. If thevariable parameters are inputted, the processing B is executed at stepS24. The picture resulting from the processing B at step S25 iscorrected on the basis of the setting for display output characteristicsand the setting for printing characteristics as corrected by thecharacteristics correction unit. The corrected picture is displayed onthe picture display output unit. In the absence of an input for thevariable parameters concerning the processing B, prompted at step S23,the program awaits the inputting of the variable parameters concerningthe processing B.

The same applies for the other processing operations. Finally, it isverified at step S26 whether the processing X is to be executed. If thecommand for executing the processing is issued, inputting of thevariable parameter concerning the processing X is prompted at step S27.If the variable parameter is inputted, the processing X is executed atstep S28. The picture resulting from execution of the processing X iscorrected at step S29, based on the setting of the display outputcharacteristics and on the setting of printing characteristics, ascorrected y the characteristics correction unit.

The resulting corrected picture is displayed on the picture displayoutputting unit. This displayed picture is rendered visually equivalentin picture quality to the printed picture. If the inputting of thevariable parameter concerning the processing X, prompted at step S27, isnot made, the program awaits the inputting of the variable parameterconcerning the processing X. It is then sequentially verified whether ornot a printing command a command for starting the processing A, acommand for starting the processing B, and a command for starting theprocessing X are issued for the selected picture data.

It is then verified at step S17 whether or not a printing command willbe issued for the picture data selected or processed as described above.If plural processing operations are to be made, it suffices if picturedata from the processing A is returned, the printing command is notissued at step S17, the start command for the processing A is not issuedat step S18, processing moves to step S22 to effect the processing B andthe picture data from the processing B is returned. The above sequenceof operations is sequentially repeated, and a printing command is issuedat step S17 after the processing in its entirety has come to a close.

If it is verified at step S17 that the command for executing theprinting is issued, picture data correction for converting andcorrecting the picture for printing to a preferred reproduction color iseffected at step S30 in FIG. 21. Then, at step S31, print outputtingprocessing is effected and a printed picture is prepared by printout atstep S32. If the picture printing is continued, the processing menu isagain displayed at step s32 in FIG. 15 to repeat the processing.

With the present printer device, a variety of operations can be executedand handled easily. Moreover, since the operation proceeds by the sametype of processing without regard to the type of the picture inputtingmeans, the user is not perplexed as to the operating sequence.

Referring to the drawings, a second embodiment of the present inventionis explained. The printer device is configured similarly to that shownin FIG. 5.

The data processing unit 5, operating as a picture verification unit inthe picture processing unit 6, extracts at least one of a verticalpicture component and a horizontal picture component, that can beapproximated in the vertical direction and in the horizontal directionof a picture frame of first digital picture data, respectively. If atleast one of the components is extracted, the data processing unit 5checks the angle between the extracted picture component and at leastone of the associated vertical or horizontal direction.

Based on the above check result, the input position adjustment unit 29adjusts the input position of analog picture signals, from which thefirst digital picture data has been originated, by rotational movement,to generate the first digital picture data, adjusted by the picture datainput unit 1, to output the adjusted first digital picture-data again tothe picture processing unit 6.

The data processing unit 5 in the picture processing unit 6 performsediting, working, synthesis or correction on the adjusted first digitalpicture data to generate second digital picture data. The first digitalpicture data and/or the second digital picture data, thus adjusted, areoutputted via the characteristics correction unit 4 to the picturedisplay outputting unit 2 and to the picture printing unit 3 to displayor output the picture.

If there is no tilt in the picture of the pre-set first digital picturedata, the latter is directly processed in the data processing unit 5 toproduce second digital picture data to display and print the firstdigital picture data and/or the second digital picture data.

The processing which is based on the results of check in the dataprocessing unit 5 operating as a picture check unit may be carried outin such a manner that the contents of the first digital picture data aremodified on rotational movement in the data processing unit 5 operatingas a picture calculating unit to generate modified first digital picturedata.

Moreover, the first digital picture data, modified as described above,is edited, worked, synthesized and corrected to generate second digitalpicture data. The first digital picture data and/or the second digitalpicture data, modified as described above, are outputted to the picturedisplay outputting unit 2 and to the picture printing unit 3 via thecharacteristics correction unit 4 to display and print the picture.

That is, if, in the printer device according to the present invention,an object in question is tilted in an imaging picture plane relative tothe picture frame, in other words, the object is tilted relative to thepicture frame in the first digital picture data, the vertical picturecomponent and/or the horizontal picture component in the object isextracted and verified, and the tilt indicated by an angle between thepicture components and the corresponding directions is verified. Basedon this verification, the tilt is corrected automatically to obtain atilt-corrected printed picture.

The above-described tilt-correction technique eliminates the necessityof securing the imaging equipment by e.g., a tripod in order to evadethe habit the user in manually holding the imaging equipment forimaging. Consequently, the user is not compelled to pay attention lesthe or she should tilt the equipment.

In the present printer device, the vertical picture component and thehorizontal picture component are extracted and verified from one digitalpicture data to another, so that, even if the state of the tilt differsfrom one first digital picture data to another as described above, suchtilt is automatically corrected depending on the state of the tilt thusrealizing a printed picture having a sufficient composition.

If, in the printer device of the present invention, the data processingunit 5 operating as the picture verification unit for the pre-set firstdigital picture data from the picture data input unit 1 extracts both avertical picture component and a horizontal picture component,approximated respectively in the vertical direction and in thehorizontal direction relative to the picture frame of the pre-set firstdigital picture data, preferably the angle of pre-set one of the picturecomponents with respect to the corresponding direction is verified, andthe input position adjustment unit 29 accordingly proceeds to makeadjustments to generate the first digital picture data adjusted by thepicture data input unit 1, or the picture contents of the first digitalpicture data are changed in the data processing unit 5 operating as thepicture calculating unit to generate the-changed first digital picturedata.

In this case, the pre-set picture component is preferably the horizontalpicture component.

In the printer device of the present invention, the input positionadjustment unit 29 may be configured for adjusting the input position ofthe analog picture signals, from which the first digital picture dataare derived, by parallel movement and/or input range control adapted toinput only a pre-set range.

Also, in the printer device according to the present invention, it ispossible for the data processing unit 5 operating as the picturecalculating unit to slice only a pre-set portion of the pre-set firstdigital picture data to change the picture contents to generate thechanged first digital picture data.

Meanwhile, in the printer device according to the present invention, theprocessing by the input position adjustment unit 29 may be combined withthat by the data processing unit 5 operating as the picture calculatingunit by such configuration in which the input position adjustment unit29 adjusts the input position of the analog picture signals as the basisof the pre-set first digital picture data by translation, the picturedata input unit 1 generates the adjusted first digital picture data, andthe data processing unit 5 operating as the picture calculating unitslices out only a pre-set portion of the adjusted first digital picturedata to change the picture contents to generate the changed firstdigital picture data.

In this case, the input position of the analog picture signals isadjusted by translation and, even if the first digital picture data,generated by the picture data input unit 1 is not square-shaped, only apre-set portion of the first digital picture data is sliced by the dataprocessing unit 5 operating as the picture calculating unit and unneededperipheral portions of the adjusted first digital picture data is notread out or eliminated to produce the square-shaped modified firstdigital picture data.

Moreover, in the printer device according to the present invention, ifthe angle between the vertical picture component approximated in thevertical direction relative to the picture frame of the pre-set firstdigital picture data, and the vertical direction, is smaller than apre-set angle, and/or if the angle between the horizontal picturecomponent approximated in the horizontal direction relative to thepicture frame of the pre-set first digital picture data, and thehorizontal direction, is smaller than a pre-set angle, the inputposition adjustment unit 29 accordingly makes adjustment to generatefirst digital picture data adjusted by the picture data input unit 1, orthe data processing unit 5 operating as the picture calculating unitmodifies the contents of the first digital picture data to generate themodified first digital picture data.

This presupposes that, in imaging a picture which forms the basis of thepre-set first digital picture data, an object is imaged unawares in atilted state. It is sufficient if the pre-set angle is set to a maximumangle for unconscious object imaging.

By so doing, it becomes possible not to compensate for tilt if the userintentionally images the object with a tilt in view of realization ofthe optimum picture configuration, thus enabling a printed picture to beproduced as desired by the user.

In the printer device of the present invention, as described above, thedata processing unit 5 also operates as a picture re-arranging portionwhich re-arranges the pre-set first digital picture data to generatere-arranged first digital picture data, the printing output processingunit 24 converting the re-arranged first digital picture data intoprinting data.

That is, in the printer device of the present invention, the dataprocessing unit 5, operating also as the picture verification unit,verifies whether or not pre-set picture contents of the first digitalpicture data, inputted from the picture data input unit 1, are presentin a specified range in the first digital picture data and, if thepre-set picture contents are present in the pre-set range, the dataprocessing unit 5, operating also as the picture re-arranging portion,modifies the picture contents so as to be arranged in a prescribedregion to re-arrange the pre-set first digital picture data to generatethe re-arranged first digital picture data.

In this case, it is desirable that the pre-set picture contents,specified range and the prescribed region are correspondingly set, withthe setting contents being rewritable.

By correspondingly setting the pre-set picture contents, specified rangeand the prescribed region, it is possible to set an optimum prescribedrange, depending on the picture contents, even if there exist pluralcandidate regions as the prescribed range.

In the present printer device, in which the picture contents in thepre-set first digital picture data are verified by the data processingunit 5 also operating as the picture verification unit, and the firstdigital picture data are re-arranged by the data processing unit 5, alsooperating as the picture re-arranging unit, based on the results ofverification, the pre-set first digital picture data can first becorrected to a most well-balanced and stabilized picture andsubsequently printed by the picture printing unit 3, whereby a printedpicture with a sufficient composition can be obtained, without thenecessity of strictly setting the composition for imaging.

Also, in the present printer device, the method of modifying the pre-setpicture contents so as to be arranged within the prescribed regionpreferably includes at least one of the following processing operations:partially slicing the pre-set first digital picture data; enlarging thepre-set first digital picture data; rotating the pre-set first digitalpicture data; and deforming the pre-set first digital picture data.

Moreover, if, in the present printer device, the pre-set picturecontents of the first digital picture data has a certain two-dimensionalextension, preferably the data processing unit 5 operating as thepicture verification unit verifies whether or not the center of gravityof the pre-set picture contents is present in a pre-set range in thefirst digital picture data. If the center of gravity is not present inthe pre-set range, the data processing unit 5 operating as the picturere-arranging portion performs changes so that the center of gravity isin the prescribed region to generate the rearranged first digitalpicture data.

The center of gravity herein means the weight center of a homogeneousthin sheet having the same boundary in a plane figure and is also termeda center of figure.

Referring to FIGS. 22A–22C, a method by which digital picture data-isoptimally rearranged to correct for object tilt is illustrated. Inre-arranging the pre-set first digital picture data in the presentprinter device, it is desirable that, if a line segment ABinterconnecting both ends (in a specified direction) of pre-set picturecontents in the as-rearranged first digital picture data and a point Gon this line segment AB are presupposed, and the point G is presupposedso that the ratio of a line segment AG or a line segment BG, whicheveris larger, will be equal to the ratio of the line segment AG or the linesegment BG, whichever is larger, to the line segment AG or the linesegment BG, whichever is smaller, the prescribed region contains thepoint G and the pre-set picture contents in the first digital picturedata will be arranged in this prescribed region.

It is preferred in this case that line segment AB is divided by goldensection by the point G and that the ratio of the line segment AB to theline segment AG or the line segment BG is equal or substantially equalto 8:5.

It is also preferred in this case that the pre-set first digital picturedata is tetragonally-shaped and the specified direction of the linesegment AB is selected to be at least one of the vertical directionhorizontal direction and the diagonal direction.

The pre-set picture contents in the present printer device may beenumerated by the face of a human being (the center of gravity of pluralpersons if there are such plural persons), the direction of the humanbeing, horizontal line, horizon, trunk of a tree, outer profile of abuilding, or the contour of the building.

Referring to FIG. 22, the golden section is explained. The goldensection is the method of dividing a line segment in which, if the linesegment is split at a point thereon, the ratio of the entire length ofthe line segment to a longer section resulting from the division isequal to the ratio of the longer section of the line segment to ashorter section thereof. That is, if, when the line segment AB isdivided at a point G1 thereon, the following equation (1):AG1/AB=G1B/AG1=(51/21)/2=0.618033AB:AG1=1:0.618033=8:4.9  (1)as shown in FIG. 22, the golden section holds.

This ratio of the golden section, termed the golden ratio, is said to bethe most harmonious ratio from the age of ancient Greece, and representsan example of optimum proportional division based on the principle ofgeometry.

This division method of the golden section may be expanded in thetwo-dimensional direction for application to the picture frameconfiguration represented by picture data. That is, by arranging themain picture portion in a picture in the vicinity of a specified point(point of golden section) as found by the golden section in a picture,it is possible to impart an impression that the picture is mostwell-balanced and stabilized picture.

Specifically, a point G2, corresponding to a point of intersection of aline segment FJ interconnecting mid points of line segments CD and IEand a line segment KH interconnecting points of golden section of linesegments CI and DE, represents the above-mentioned specified point(point of golden section).

Also, referring to FIG. 22C, a point G3 corresponding to a point ofintersection of a line segment PU interconnecting points of goldensection of line segments LM and ON and a line segment WR interconnectingpoints of golden section of line segments LO and MN, in a tetragondefined by points L, M, N and O, represents the above-mentionedspecified point (point of golden section). Similarly, a point G4corresponding to a point of intersection of a line segment QTinterconnecting points of golden section of line segments LM and ON anda line segment WR interconnecting points of golden section of linesegments LO and MN, a point G5 corresponding to a point of intersectionof a line segment QT interconnecting points of golden section of linesegments LM and ON and a line segment VS interconnecting points ofgolden section of line segments LO and MN and a point G6 correspondingto a point of intersection of the line segment PU interconnecting pointsof golden section of line segments LM and ON and the line segment VSinterconnecting points of golden section of line segments LO and MN alsorepresent the above-mentioned specified points (points of goldensection).

Therefore, if the main portion or a portion of interest in a picture isplaced at or near the above-mentioned specified points (points of goldensection) G2, G3, G4, G5 and G6, a well-balanced picture can be produced.

It is known that the human being unconsciously prefers a picture whichsatisfies the relation of the golden section in connection with thecomposition of the picture contents in the picture. If the picturecontents are not in accordance with the golden section, it is preferredto make corrections so that the relation of the golden section will bemet or approximately met.

Although the foregoing description is based on the value ofapproximately 8:4.9 as the ratio of the golden section, similar effectsmay be achieved by arranging a rougher ratio, such as 8:5 or 3:2.Therefore, in actual correction, the golden section may be approximatedtaking ease and speed etc in calculations into consideration.

In the foregoing description, it has been stresses that the main portionof a picture be arranged in the vicinity of specified points (points ofgolden section). If there is a linear picture having a horizontalpicture component or a vertical picture component as the background ofthe picture, such linear picture is arranged in the vicinity of thelines of golden section, that is line segments PU, QT, WR or VS in FIG.22C for imparting a stability to the entire picture. In case of picturecontents 132 comprised of a person facing the forward side in atetragonal picture 131 defined by points a, b, c and d, as shown in FIG.23 a, the face of the person, which is the most significant portion inthe picture contents 132, is placed, as an example, near a point g1corresponding to a point of intersection between a line segment ofinterconnecting mid points of line segments ab and cd and a line segmenthi interconnecting points of golden section of line segments ad and bc.

In case of picture contents 133 comprised of a person facing the leftside in a tetragonal picture 131 defined by points a, b, c and d, asshown in FIG. 23 b, the face of the person, which is the mostsignificant portion in the picture contents 133, is placed, as anexample, near a point g2 corresponding to a point of intersectionbetween a line segment jk interconnecting points of golden section ofline segments ab and cd and a line segment hi interconnecting points ofgolden section of line segments ad and bc.

If a horizontal component, such as a horizon 134, is indicated in atetragonal picture 131, defined by points a to d, as shown in FIG. 24a,this horizontal component is arranged, as an example, in coincidencewith or parallel to a line segment kl interconnecting points of goldensection of line segments ad and bc.

If a horizontal component, such as a horizontal line 135, is indicatedin a tetragonal picture 131, defined by points a to d, as shown in FIG.24 b, this horizontal component is arranged, as an example, incoincidence with or parallel to a line segment mn interconnecting pointsof golden section of line segments ad and bc.

If a vertical component, such as a tree 136, and a horizontal component,such as a horizon 137, are indicated in a tetragonal picture 131,defined by points a to d, as shown in FIG. 25, the vertical component isarranged, as an example, in coincidence with or parallel to a linesegment interconnecting points of golden section of line segments ab andcd, while the horizontal component is arranged, as an example, incoincidence with or parallel to a line segment qr interconnecting pointsof golden section of line segments ad and bc.

If the horizontal component is contained in this manner in the picture,it is essential that the horizontal component is not tilted with respectto the line segment interconnecting the points of golden section.

In the present printer device, the setting of display outputcharacteristics prescribing the display picture quality in the picturedisplay outputting unit 2 is corrected in accordance with the setting ofprinting characteristics prescribing the display picture quality in thepicture printing unit 3. Alternatively, the setting of printingcharacteristics prescribing the display picture quality in the pictureprinting unit 3 is corrected in accordance with the setting of displayoutput characteristics prescribing the display picture quality in thepicture display outputting unit 2. As a result, the picture displayed onthe picture display outputting unit 2 is represented as being ofequivalent picture quality to the picture printed by the pictureprinting unit 3.

The individual components are hereinafter explained.

In the present printer device, the picture inputting means 7 includes apicture data interfacing unit 9, operating as an analog picture signalinputting port or as a digital picture data inputting port, a removablemedium driving unit 10, as a disc drive or a memory drive, a filmreading unit 11, as a scanner having a photoelectric transducingelement, and a computer interfacing unit 12, operating as a digitalpicture data input port.

The picture data interfacing unit 9 operates for interconnecting adevice for processing an object or an original as picture data, such asa digital still picture camera 14, a digital video camera, or anoriginal reading scanner, and a picture data input/output unit 27.

The picture data interfacing unit 9 not only operates as a physicalconnecting unit but also as a device for controlling the externalconnection equipment 13 and for capturing digitized picture data, thatis, as a digital picture data input port. The above-mentioned connectionto the external connection equipment 13 may be realized by radio routes,such as infra-red rays or electromagnetic waves, in addition to wiredconnection.

Also, the picture data interfacing unit 9 may be configured forreceiving analog picture signals, such as NTSC picture signals, PALpicture signals, RGB picture signals or S-terminal picture signals, thatis for operating as an analog picture signal input port, and fordigitizing the analog picture signals to generating picture data.

If the input picture is a continuous picture, that is a moving picture,such as a picture imaged by a digital video camera, or analog picturesignals, the moving picture is directly outputted as picture signals toa display device 15, indicated as a picture display outputting unit 2,or to an external monitor connected to an output port 16, and the userissues a command by the command device 8 for selecting a desiredpicture, a moving picture selected by the picture data interfacing unit9 can be captured as picture data, which is a digitized still picture,under control by a user interface unit 28, which will be explainedsubsequently.

The picture data, thus captured, is routed via picture data input/outputunit 27 to the data processing unit 5. Alternatively, the picture datamay be routed in the order in which they are captured, or sequentiallyrouted in terms of a block of a pre-set data volume as a unit. Stillalternatively, the picture data may be routed in terms of data of acompleted picture frame as a unit.

The removable medium driving unit 10 drives a removable medium 17, shownin FIG. 5 as an external connection equipment 13, to read or writepicture data.

The removable medium 17 may be exemplified by a magnetic card, amagnetic disc, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, a flash memoryor an IC memory card constituted by a ROM or a RAM.

The removable medium driving unit 10 is also arranged to drive-control amedium the physical mechanism of which needs to be actuated.

The picture data, thus captured, is routed via the picture datainput/output unit 27 to the data processing unit 5. The picture data maybe sequentially routed in the order in which it is captured, or may besequentially routed in terms of a block of a pre-set data volume as aunit. Alternatively, the picture data may be routed in terms of data ofa completed picture frame as a unit.

If there are plural picture data in a medium, the picture data may beoutputted sequentially or in a contracted state to the display device 15indicated as the picture display outputting unit 2 or to the monitorconnected to the output port 16 as picture signals and, if the userissues a command for selecting a desired picture by the command device8, the removable, medium driving unit 10 routes the selected picturedata to the picture data input/output unit 27, under control by the userinterface unit 28, as later explained, to cause the data processing unit5 to process the data in a pre-set fashion. Conversely, the picture dataprocessed in a pre-set manner by the data processing unit 5 may berouted via the picture data input/output unit 27 to the removable mediumdriving unit 10, under control by the user interface unit 28, theremovable medium driving unit 10 then writing and storing the data onthe removable medium 17.

The film reading unit 11 reads a photographic film 18, such as aso-called ordinary 35 mm film a so-called APS (advanced photo system)film, having the magnetic information pertinent to a picture, alarge-sized-roll type film or a sheet-type film, indicated as theexternal connection equipment 13 in FIG. 5, to convert the read-out datainto picture data.

Specifically, the film reading unit 11 mounts each film on an associatedfilm holder and causes relative movement of the film holder or thephotoelectric transducing element, to perform control of moving thepictures on the film to a readout start position by the photoelectrictransducing element. The photoelectric transducing element may beexemplified by a photodiode, a phototransistor, a CCD line sensor, aCMOS line sensor, a CCD image sensor, and a CMOS image sensor. Forreading a sole picture, the film holder or the photoelectric transducingelement is moved, responsive to the read-out operation,two-dimensionally or one-dimensionally depending on whether thephotoelectric transducing element is a sole sensor or configured as aline sensor, respectively. If the photoelectric transducing element isan area sensor, there is no such movement during the read-out operation.

For reading out a picture on the film, the picture on the film is firstread out at a low read-out speed. The resulting picture data is sent viathe picture data input/output unit 27 to the data processing unit 5operating as a picture verification unit.

The data processing unit 5 verifies, by extraction, whether the verticalpicture component and/or the horizontal picture component is containedin the picture data, while verifying whether or not these picturecomponents are tilted with respect to the picture frame of the picturedata. If there is noticed a tilted picture component, and the tilt isverified to be caused against the intention of the user, the statusinformation on the tilt is sent from the data processing unit 5 to theinput position adjustment unit 29 arranged in the film reading unit 11.On reception of the status information, the input position adjustmentunit 29 causes the film holder or the photoelectric transducing elementto be mechanically rotated or translated in order to cancel out the tiltof the vertical or horizontal picture component in the picture relativeto the picture frame. The picture on the film is again read and theresulting picture data is sent via the input position adjustment unit 29to the data processing unit 5.

The picture data may be routed sequentially in the order in which theyare read, or may be routed in terms of a block made up of a pre-set datavolume, as a unit, or in terms of picture data corresponding to acomplete picture frame as a unit.

If plural pictures are recorded on a film, each read-out picture data isoutputted as picture signals to the display device 15 and/or to anexternal monitor connected to output port 16, via the data processingunit 5, either directly, as a reduced-sized picture or as a rough-readpicture, read at a rough read-out pitch. If the user issues a commandfor selecting a desired picture via the command device 8, the dataprocessing unit 5 deciphers, by extraction, whether or not the selectedpicture contains the horizontal picture component and/or the verticalpicture component, under control by the user interface unit 28 as laterexplained. If it is found that at least one of the components iscontained, and tilt is found to have occurred, the input positionadjustment unit 29, explained subsequently, operates for canceling outthe tilt to read out the picture again, if so required.

If the film holder or the photoelectric transducing element is rotatedand/or translated in the input position adjustment unit 29, it may be anoccurrence that the effective picture range is not of a square shape.Therefore, the film picture read-out range is limited depending on themovement processing of the input position adjustment unit 29 to adjustthe picture of the read-out picture data to a square shape.

If plural pictures are tilted at different angles, the read-out picturesdiffer in size depending on the tilt. If the picture size needs to beuniform, the picture size is enlarged at the time of readout or in thecourse of the picture processing by the data processing unit 5. Ofcourse, the enlarging processing is unnecessary if there is no need toequate the picture size.

It is also possible for the film reading unit 11 to send the selectedpicture data to the picture data input/output unit 27 to effect pre-setprocessing by the data processing unit 5. If rough-readout describedabove is used, the picture needs to be again read out at a usual pitch.

If an APS film, as the photographic film 18, is read out by thephotoelectric transducing element, a magnetic head is annexed to thefilm reading unit 11 to read out the magnetic data on imaging recordedon the APS film at the same time as picture data is read. The magneticdata is displayed by the picture display outputting unit 2 or used fordata working by the data working unit 5 for storage as picture data,under control by the user interface unit 28.

In printing the picture of the photographic film 18, a system centeredabout a universal computer has so far been used. If the present printerdevice is used, picture printing can be executed easily without usingthe universal computer.

The input position adjustment unit 29 is arranged in the film readingunit 11, as described above. Based on the status information concerningthe tilt of the picture in question, the input position adjustment unit29 performs the operation of modifying the relative positioning of thefilm holder or the photoelectric transducing element.

The film reading unit 11 is made up of the scanner as now explained.That is, the film reading unit 11 is made up mainly of a film holder 141holding a film 140 and a CCD sensor 142 as a photoelectric transducingelement. On both sides of a film 140 are arranged a light source 144 forilluminating a picture 143, and a mirror 145. A light beam L1 from thelight source 144, carrying the picture 143, is converged via the mirror145 by a lens 146 to form a light beam L2 which is sent to a CCD sensor142 for photoelectric conversion in order to generate analog picturesignals of the picture 143. These analog picture signals are convertedby an A/D converter to first digital picture data. The CCD sensor 142 isconfigured here as a CCD line sensor.

Preferably, the input position adjustment unit 29 is configured forcausing the relative movement, by the following control, withoutchanging the relative positioning between the film holder 141 and theCCD sensor 142 as the photoelectric transducing element, morespecifically, the spatial parallel distance between the film holder 141and a mounting portion, not shown, of the CCD sensor 142. The controleffects at least one of the rotational movement or the translation. Thecontrol may also be the relative parallel movement (translation) controlin conjunction with the relative rotational movement control. Meanwhile,the rotational movement is the operation for correcting the tilt of thepicture 143, while the relative parallel movement is the operation ofmaximizing the readout range in the picture which has been reduced bythe rotational movement. In addition, the input range limitation iseffected to limit the readout range to maintain the square shape of theread-out picture depending on the rotational movement operation and theparallel movement operation. Finally, the film reading unit 11 executesenlarging control if the size of the picture obtained on reading pluralpictures needs to be square in shape and of the same size.

For example, in an embodiment shown in FIG. 26, a CCD unit 147, made upof the CCD sensor 142, a lens 146, a mirror 145 and a light source 144,is fixed, while the film holder 141 is rotated and translated.Specifically, the film holder 141 is rotated in the direction indicatedby arrow M3 in FIG. 26, while being translated in the read linedirection indicated by arrow M3 (vertical direction)in FIG. 26. Theoptical distance of the reading area on the film 140 in register withthe CCD sensor 142, herein a straight line, is not changed by thisoperation.

Meanwhile, the read line direction, corresponding to the read line inregister with the CCD sensor 142, as indicated by arrow M1, isperpendicular to the scanning line during reading, as indicated by arrowM2.

Therefore, in the embodiment of FIG. 26, it suffices if the film holder141 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow M3 in FIG. 26depending on the tilt of the picture 143, the film holder 141 also istranslated along the read line direction indicated by arrow M1 parallelto the position of the CCD sensor 142 and along the sub-scanningdirection in the direction indicated by arrow M2 at right angles to theCCD sensor 142. For reading the next picture, it suffices if the filmholder 141 is translated until the film holder 141 reaches the read-outstart position for the next picture.

In FIG. 26, it is the film holder 141 that is moved. However, it mayalso be the CCD unit 147 that is moved. That is, in the film readingunit, configured similarly to the film reading unit 11 shown in FIG. 26,the CCD unit 147made up of the CCD sensor 142, lens 146, mirror 145 andthe light source 144 may be moved, as shown in FIG. 27.

It is noted that the parts or components shown in FIG. 27 are indicatedby the same reference numerals and hence are not explained in detail.

Specifically, the CCD unit 147 is rotated in the direction indicated byarrow M6, while being translated in the read line direction as indicatedby arrows M4 (vertical direction) and also being translated in thescanning direction indicated by arrow M5 (oblique direction). Theoptical distance of the reading area on the film 140 in register withthe CCD sensor 142, herein a straight line, is not changed by thisoperation.

Meanwhile, the reading line direction, indicated by arrow M4,corresponding to the reading line for the CCD sensor 142, isperpendicular to the scanning direction for readout, indicated by arrowM5.

That is, in the instance shown in FIG. 27, the CCD unit 147 is rotatedin the direction indicated by arrow M6 in accordance with the tilt ofthe picture 143, the CCD unit 147 also is translated in the reading linedirection as indicated by arrow M54 parallel to the position of the CCDsensor 142 and also in the sub-scanning direction as indicated by arrowM5 at right angles to the position of the CCD sensor 142. For readingout the next picture, it is sufficient if the film holder 141 istranslated until the next picture reaches the read-out start position.

It is noted that a computer interfacing unit 12, such as is describedabove, is used for interconnecting a host computer 19, indicated in FIG.5 as the external connection equipment 13, and the picture datainput/output unit 27, and may be exemplified by a high-sped interface,such as Bi-Centronics, IEEE-1394, USB or SCSI. This computer interfacingunit 12 effects controls for each interface and a variety of protocolcontrols including control of commands and responses used forbidirectional transmission/reception of picture data with the use of therespective interfaces. The picture data, thus transmitted or received,are handled on the line basis, block basis or on the plane basis.

Up to now, for printing a computer picture on a printer, a variety ofprocessing operations for printout need to be performed on a printerdriver provided on a computer. Conversely, with the present printerdevice, in which these processing operations are performed by the dataprocessing unit 5 and the characteristics correction unit 4, theprocessing performed by the printer driver of a host computer 19 isreduced significantly. That is, the time consumed in processing by thehost computer 19 is shortened to permit the host computer 19 to executethe operations other than printing immediately to reduce the time duringwhich the host computer takes up the CPU.

Also, in this printer device, the picture data inputted from the pictureinput units 7 described above may be processed in a variety of ways bythe data processing unit 5, the resulting data being then routed to thehost computer 19 and processed in a variety of ways by other software ofthe host computer 19 for saving in the host computer 19.

Although four types of means have been described in the foregoing as thepicture inputting means 7, these are merely illustrative and the pictureinputting means 7 may be configured differently without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

The picture data input/output unit 27 is a portion responsible fortransferring picture data between the picture inputting means 7 and thepicture processing unit 6.

That is, the picture data input/output unit 27 is a portion responsiblefor transferring to the data processing unit 5 the first digital picturedata obtained on analog/digital conversion of the digital and/or analogpicture signals inputted from outside in the picture inputting means 7.

The picture data input/output unit 27 also has the function of adjustingthe picture data transfer timing and the relation between the source andthe destination of transfer to prevent collision between differentpicture data. The picture data input/output unit 27 also has thefunction of making adjustments to enable picture data inputted from avariety of picture inputting means to be handled in a similar fashion.

The picture data input/output unit 27 receives picture data from thepicture data interfacing unit 9 and the film reading unit 11 of thepicture inputting means 7, while transmitting/receiving of the removablemedium driving unit 10 and the computer interfacing unit 12. That is,the picture data input unit 1 operates as a data inputting/outputtingportion. The transmitting/receiving timing of picture data or selectionof picture data in the picture data input unit 1 are controlled on thebasis of a command from the user interface unit 28, as later explained,if the command from the user is to be followed. The above-describedcontrol may also be performed automatically under control by the dataprocessing unit 5.

Among the cases of outputting plural first digital picture data,obtained on analog/digital conversion of externally inputted picturesignals, inputted by the picture input means 7, there are the followingcases:

One case is where a digital still camera, as an external connectionequipment 13, is connected to the picture data interfacing unit 9, therebeing plural pre-imaged picture data in a memory or a recording mediumin the digital still picture camera 14.

Another case is where moving picture signals are inputted to the picturedata interfacing unit 9 and captured every pre-set time period orwhenever the contents of the moving picture signals are varied, with thecaptured signals being then digitized into plural first digital picturedata.

Still another is such a one in which there are plural picture data inthe removable medium 17 connected to or inserted into the removablemedium driving unit 10.

Still another case is one in which the photographic film 18 mounted forreading out into the film reading unit 11 is a roll type or a sheet typefilm in which plural picture information is recorded.

Yet another is such a one in which plural picture data are stored in astorage unit such as a hard disc or a CD-ROM drive in the host computer19 connected to the computer interfacing unit 12 and in which pluraldigital picture data are sequentially routed from the host computer 19to the computer interfacing unit 12 through bidirectional interfaces ofthe computer interfacing unit 12 and the host computer 19.

The present printer device has, as the aforementioned picture displayoutputting unit 2, the display device 15 and an output port 16 comprisedof an analog picture signal output port and/or a digital picture dataoutput port. The output port 16 is connected an external monitoroperating as external connection.

The display device 15 is mainly composed of a full-color display unitand its driving unit. The full-color display unit is adapted to makedisplay of picture data and the display on the user interface unit 28 aslater explained. As this display device, a flat panel display,represented by a liquid crystal panel, is preferred. There may also beprovided one or more display units, such as LEDs, for displaying theoperating states.

The command device 8, operating as inputting means for inputting acommand from outside, may be enumerated by a mouse, a track ball, akeyboard, a touch panel provided on the display device 15, and apen-touch input panel, adapted to make an input with ha pen point. Thecommand device 8 is a portion to which a command from a user is inputtedresponsive to the control by the user interface unit 28 as laterexplained. In the touch panel or the pen-touch panel, provided on thedisplay device 15, the display of an actuating key picture on thedisplay device and an input actuating range for the key picturedisplayed on the touch panel or the pen-touch panel take up the sameposition or related positions.

If chattering, such as that caused by a key, is likely to be produced,the processing for preventing malfunction by chattering is carried outon an electric circuit or a control software. Among the methods forusing the command device 8, there may be such a method in which a rangefor command acceptance is displayed under control by the user interfaceunit 28, as a pointer indicating the display position of the commanddevice 8 is displayed on the external monitor display screen representedby a picture signal output from the output port 16, a pointer by thecommand device 8 being moved to the range and selected to input the usercommand.

The user interface unit 28 has a function of selecting desired one ofplural picture data and converting the selected picture data into firstdigital picture data, an automatic printing function of performing asequence of operations of inputting the first digital picture data tothe data processing unit 5, occasionally correcting the input picturedata, printing-output processing the corrected data in the printingoutput processing unit 24 and printing and outputting the picture in thepicture printing unit 3, a function of display-outputting on the displaydevice 15 and the output port 16 when executing the processing on therespective data, a function of starting the automatic printing under aninput command through the command device 8 from the user a function ofselecting a picture or reading out picture data under an input commandby the user from the command device 8, a function of setting variousparameters at the time of editing, working, synthesizing or correctingpicture data in the data processing unit 5 in the picture processingunit 6 as later explained, and a function of controlling the printerdevice under a print output command and under a user command.

The user interface unit 28 converts the picture data in the displaydevice 15 and in the output port 16 processed in the picture processingunit 6 into data that can be outputted to display 15/external monitorwhile synthesizing a key display, slide volume display or a menu screendisplay necessary for actuation, and outputting the synthesized displayon the display device 15 or outputting the synthesized display to theexternal monitor.

The contents displayed on the display device 15 and the contentsdisplayed on the external monitor as well as the contents of theacceptance commands associated with the contents are determineddepending on the operating state of the present printer device and theprocessing contents in the picture processing unit 6.

Due to such configuration, the contents displayed on the display device15 and the contents displayed on the external monitor may be set so asto differ from each other. For example, picture data and a picturesynthesized by the user interface unit 28 may be displayed on thedisplay device 15, with only picture signals being outputted to theoutput port 16 and with only picture data being displayed on theexternal monitor. Specifically, the picture printing range in itsentirety is displayed on the display device 15, with only selectedpicture data being displayed on the external monitor. Conversely, thepicture printing range in its entirety is displayed on the externalmonitor, with only selected picture data being displayed on the displaydevice 15.

Also, in the present printer device, the number of picture printing ofeach picture data may be set before proceeding to automatic printingprocessing of selecting desired picture data of plural picture data,converting the selected picture data into first digital picture data,inputting the as-converted picture data to the data processing unit 5,occasionally correcting the picture data and print-output processing apicture in the picture printing unit 3.

The picture processing unit 6 is mainly comprised of the data processingunit 5 and the characteristics correction unit 4, as described above.

The picture processing unit 6 edits, works on, synthesizes and correctsthe picture data, inputted via the picture data input/output unit 27from the picture input means 7, based on pre-set contents or on a usercommand entered via the user interface unit 28. If the input picturedata from the picture data input unit 1 is not of the ideal picturequality characteristics, the data processing unit 5 corrects the inputpicture data in order to improve the picture quality of the picturedisplayed on the display device 15 or on the external monitor and thepicture printed by the picture printing unit 3.

Specifically, the data processing unit 5 performs the editing, working,synthesis and correction and, if the input picture data inputted fromthe picture data input unit 1 are not of ideal picture qualitycharacteristics, the data processing unit 5 corrects the input picturedata in order to improve the picture quality of the picture displayed onthe display device 15 or on the external monitor or the picture printedby the picture printing unit 3. there are occasions in which the dataprocessing unit 5 receives the user command from the command device 8via the user interface unit 28 and accordingly performs pre-set editing,working, synthesis or conversion on the first digital picture data fromthe picture data input unit 1 to generate second digital picture data.

In particular, in the above-described printer device of the presentinvention, the data processing unit 5 also operates as a pictureverification unit, such that the data processing unit 5 checks thepicture contents of the first digital picture data read out by the filmreading unit 11, and extracts and deciphers the picture tilted withrespect to the picture frame of the first digital picture data. If thepicture is tilted within such a pre-set angle for which the picture canbe determined to have been tilted during imaging against the user'sintention, the data processing unit 5 sends the status informationconcerning the tilt to the input position adjustment unit 29 in the filmreading unit 11.

The input first digital picture data, which is the picture data otherthan that read by the film reading unit 11, is similarly extracted anddeciphered. The picture data, corresponding to a picture which can bedeciphered to be tilted, is similarly processed with rotationalmovement, slicing and, if necessary, enlarging.

The processing for extracting and verifying the picture contents of thefirst digital picture data read out by the film reading unit 11, sendingout the status information concerning the tilt with respect to thepicture frame of the first digital picture data in question to the inputposition adjustment unit 29 in the film reading unit 11, based on thedeciphered results, extracting and deciphering the picture contents ofthe input digital picture data inclusive of the first digital picturedata from the film reading unit 11 and rotating and slicing the picturefor the first digital picture data based on the deciphered results, ishereinafter explained.

In the case of the picture input means 7 in which the original picturecan be rotated when reading a picture as the first digital picture data,as in the case of the above-mentioned film reading unit 11, the statusinformation is furnished to the input position adjustment unit 29 in thefilm reading unit 11. If the picture input means 7 is such a one whichdoes not permit the original picture to be rotated when reading apicture as the first digital picture data, it suffices if the dataprocessing unit 5 has the function similar to that of the input positionadjustment unit 29 to perform a similar processing.

If, when the contents of a pre-set picture pattern, inputted from thefilm reading unit 11 and other picture input means 7, there is containedin the extracted picture pattern a picture component that is notcompletely vertical with respect to the picture frame but which can beapproximated to a vertical component within a pre-set angle, or acomponent that is not completely horizontal with respect to the pictureframe but which can be approximated to a horizontal component within apre-set angle, such tilt may be deciphered to be caused by the userimaging an object of the picture in a hand-held state of the imagepickup device, that is without fixing the device, thus causing theobject to be tilted unintentionally with respect to the picture frame.Therefore, the unneeded tilt can be corrected if the picture is rotateddepending on this angular information.

The above-mentioned pre-set angle is such an angle based on which it isjudged whether the picture being imaged has been tilted unintentionallyor intentionally. This pre-set angle is selected to give the least riskof error based on previous check into pictures imaged by a large numberof persons. By this setting, it is possible to exclude not only apicture tilted intentionally but also a picture obtained on imaging anobject tilted from the outset from consideration.

Also, if, when pattern contents of the input first digital picture dataare extracted, both the picture component that can be approximated to avertical picture component and the picture component that can beapproximated to a horizontal picture component are extracted, with thesecomponents having different angles with respect to the picture frame,the priority sequence can be affixed to one of the components so thatrotational movement processing or the rotational processing will beexecuted depending on the angle the picture component has with thepicture frame.

If the two picture components are extracted and deciphered in thismanner, priority is preferably placed on the horizontal picturecomponent that can be approximated to horizontal with respect to thepicture frame. The reason is that, if horizontal object portions, suchas a horizon, abound in the imaged picture, a picture in which thehorizontal picture component lies substantially parallel to the pictureframe appears more stable and gives a sedated feeling.

Based on the status information, thus obtained, the film reading unit 11performs picture re-reading under control by the input positionadjustment unit 29, to executes similar processing as a digital picturecalculating operations.

An instance of reading a picture from the actual film reading unit 11 isexplained. FIG. 28 shows first digital picture data obtained onrough-scanning. Specifically, a picture 151 is shown in a picture frame150 defined by points s, t, u and v. In this picture 151, a horizontalline 152, as a horizontal picture component, is shown inclined at anangle θ with respect to a horizontal line segments st and uvconstituting the horizontal frame of the picture frame 150.

Thus, the picture frame is rotated by an angle θ to change the pictureframe to a picture frame 153 defined by points s1, t1, u1 and v1 todetermine the re-reading range. The result is that, in the re-readingrange, the horizontal line 152 in the picture frame 151 is substantiallyparallel to a virtual horizontal line parallel to a line segment s1t1and a line segment u1vi representing the frame in the horizontaldirection of the picture frame.

If the center point of the rotational movement is not coincident withthe center-point of the picture, the scan range needs to be translatedin order to secure the maximum re-reading range. The direction and theamount of this translation depends on the mechanical structure of thefilm reading unit 11. Thus, if the re-reading is performed in accordancewith the re-reading range as determined by the rotational angle and themechanical structure, the targeted picture 150 shown in FIG. 30 isobtained.

In particular, in the present printer device, the data processing unit 5operates not only as a picture verification unit but also as a picturere-arranging unit. The data processing unit 5 verifies whether or notpre-set picture contents of the input first digital picture data arewithin a specified range of the first digital picture data and, if thepre-set picture contents are within the specified range, the pre-setpicture contents are changed so as to be within a prescribed region andthe pre-set first digital picture data are re-arranged to generatere-arranged first digital picture data.

The processing for verifying the picture contents in the first digitalpicture data to change the arrangement of the pre-set picture contentsbased on the verified results to re-arrange the pre-set first digitalpicture data is explained.

That is, it is verified whether or not prescribed pre-set picturecontents are present in the picture contents of the first digitalpicture data, and also whether or not the pre-set picture contents arepresent within the corresponding specified region. If the pre-setpicture contents are present in the specified region, the dataprocessing unit 5, operating as the picture re-arranging unit, modifiesthe pre-set picture contents so that the pre-set picture region will bein the prescribed region to generate re-arranged first digital picturedata.

First, as shown in FIGS. 31 to 33, the correlation pre-set picturecontents and the specified region and the prescribed region representingthe above-mentioned specified region is prescribed.

The pre-set picture contents indicated in FIGS. 31 to 33 prescribe themain or characteristic picture contents contained in the picturecontents of the first digital picture data. The pre-set picture contentsmay be enumerated by the face of a person, fronting to the forward ortransverse side, horizon, a horizontal line, an object having a verticalcomponent, such as a lone tree, and a high-rise building seen frombelow.

The specified region (region X) shown in FIGS. 31 to 33 represents themaximum range of the region in which the pre-set picture contents arepresent. If within this range, the gist or the composition of theoriginal picture contents is not changed vitally even if the pictureposition is changed to the next prescribed region. For example, if theface of a person, fronting to the forward or transverse side, is aspecified picture, and the object is imaged, the maximum picture region,which may be presupposed to have the face of the person imaged as a mainportion, is the specified region. Therefore, the contents of the object,envisioned by the user, is determined by a portion in the picture inwhich to place the object, and an actual imaging range.

The prescribed region (region Y) shown in FIGS. 31 to 33 indicates aregion in which to place the center of the pre-set picture contents,such as the center of gravity, when the pre-set picture contents arearranged in the specified region. For example, a point Y and a line Yobtained on golden section of each side of a picture can be prescribed,and a prescribed region containing the point y and the line Y in itsinside (region Y) can be set. Such a range which gives substantiallyequivalent effects as those obtained when the pre-set picture contentsare arranged on the point y and on the line Y is the prescribed region.

After this correspondence is realized, picture pattern contents of theinput first digital picture data are then extracted and it is thenverified to which of the predetermined pre-set picture contentscorresponds the extracted picture pattern. It is then verified whetheror not the extracted pre-set picture contents pare present in thecorresponding specified region. If the pre-set picture contents have acertain two-dimensional extension, verification is made of its center ofgravity.

If pre-set picture contents can be extracted in the input picture data,and are present in a specified region, the picture contents are changedso that the pre-set picture contents will be in the correspondingprescribed range.

By executing respective processing operations, as later explained, onthe resulting picture data, the resulting data are displayed on thedisplay device 15 and/or on the external monitor, while being printed onthe recording medium by the picture printing unit 3.

There are following methods for changing the pre-set picture contents sothat these will be in the prescribed region.

That is, there is such a method in which a picture is sliced so thatpre-set picture contents in an original picture will be in a prescribedregion to produced an as-changed picture, as shown in FIG. 34A. There isalso such a method in which, in a case wherein, if a picture is slicedso that pre-set picture contents in an original picture will be in aprescribed region to print a picture on a recording medium, the picturesize is below the desired size, the sliced picture is enlarged to adesired size to produce an as-changed picture, as shown in FIG. 34B. Inthe latter case, the picture data may be sequentially enlarged as thepicture data are sliced from the original picture data, while theoriginal picture data may also be enlarged and subsequently a picture ofa required size may be sliced.

There is also such a method in which, if, when slicing a partial picturefrom the original picture data, pre-set picture contents need to beangled with respect to the original picture data and need to be rotatedthrough such angle, in order that the pre-set picture contents will bepositioned in the prescribed region, the sliced picture is rotated togive the as-modified picture. Alternatively, when the partial picture issliced from the original picture data, the array of respective pixelscan be rotated to give the as-changed picture. The target picture mayalso be sliced after rotating the original picture data.

If the picture sliced from the original picture for arranging thepre-set picture contents in the prescribed region is not the same as thepicture configuration printed on a recording medium, the sliced picturemay also be deformed to give an as-changed picture. The deformingoperation may be sequentially executed as the picture is sliced togenerate the targeted picture. For example, if a medium-height tohigh-rise building is looked up from the ground surface at a pre-setdistance and imaged, the building is trapezoidal in the pictureresulting from imaging. This building is intrinsically desirable to beimaged to a rectangular shape. Thus, the picture including a trapezoidalpicture of the building is sliced from the picture data obtained onimaging to effect conversion to a rectangular shape. Alternatively, thedeforming processing to the rectangular shape is sequentially performedas the picture is sliced. There is also such a method in which theoriginal picture is sliced for arranging the pre-set picture contents inthe prescribed region and the sliced picture portion is rotated andenlarged to give an as-modified picture, as shown in FIG. 35B, or inwhich the original picture is sliced for arranging the pre-set picturecontents in the prescribed region and the sliced picture portion isdeformed and enlarged to give an as-changed picture, as shown in FIG.35C.

In the above-described methods, it is presupposed that necessaryportions are sliced from the original picture portion as the changingmethod. It is also possible to delete peripheral portions or non-crucialportions from the original picture data to achieve the targeted changeby a processing not accompanying the slicing.

The above-described correlation between the pre-set picture contents andthe specified region and prescribed region representing the specifiedrange desirably can be changed in the above-described printer device ofthe present invention, whereby the relation of correspondence can berewritten or corrected or a new correlation can be supplemented.

Preferably, the correlation can be changed by input characteristics ofthe picture input means 7 depending on the particular picture inputmeans 7 from which the picture data has been inputted. Alternatively,plural correlations may be provided from the outset so that an optimumcorrelation can be selected depending on which picture input means 7 hasbeen used.

The data processing unit 5 is also adapted to effect accessing controlto the picture memory 20, so that picture data can be written or readunder control by the data processing unit 5. The picture data that issaved is edited, worked on, synthesized or corrected in the dataprocessing unit 5 of the picture processing unit 6 and, if there is theinformation pertinent to this picture data, the correlated informationalso is held.

The data held in the picture memory 20 may be in a compressed,reversibly compressed or irreversibly compressed form. Which of theseforms is used is determined in dependence upon whether or not the formpermits facilitated data handling in the picture processing unit 6,whether or not the picture quality is deteriorated only to an allowablerange on repeated compression and restoration, the maximum value of thenumber or capacity of the picture data held in the picture memory 20 orthe read/write velocity of the picture memory 20. If the processingspeed, deterioration in the picture quality or data handling is takeninto account, it is preferred that the picture data is held in thepicture memory 20 in a non-compressed form. A portion of the picturememory 20 may also be used as a picture data processing memory in theprocessing stage in the picture processing unit 6.

If, when having access to picture data in the picture memory 20, picturedata is to be held in the compressed form in the picture memory 20, thepicture data is written after picture data compression in the dataprocessing unit 5. Of course, the compressed data is expanded in thedata processing unit 5 during readout.

Since the accessing control is also made in the data processing unit 5,control may be performed by time-divisional accessing in case thepicture data write timing in the picture memory 20 is likely to conflictwith the readout timing from the picture memory 20, or by delaying oneof the timings. By using a structure in which the capacity of thepicture memory 20 can be increased or decreased, the effective capacityof the picture memory 20 can be detected to enable regular addresscontrol to the picture memory 20.

If, in the picture data interfacing unit 9 or the film reading unit 11,the correction processing characteristic of the respective inputs is noteffected during imaging or readout of respective picture data, the dataprocessing unit 5 is able to perform digital working.

Meanwhile, in the data processing unit 5, the picture data mainly ishandled in the digital form. If the digitized picture data read from thepicture data input unit 1 continues to be processed as the number ofbits for calculation of each data remains the same as that of the inputpicture data, the calculating accuracy is lowered progressively.Therefore, during calculation, the number of bits of each data isincreased by 2 to 4 to prevent deterioration of the calculation accuracyto assure the picture quality of the printed picture.

If the user effects desired editing, working, synthesis and correctionon the first digital picture data inputted from the picture data inputunit 1, output display on the display/external monitor is effected undercontrol by the user interface unit 28, based on the command issued fromthe command device 8, thus permitting the user to check the desiredprocessing.

If the user performs desired processing on the first digital picturedata to generate second digital picture data, and issues a command toprint it, the second digital picture data is routed via the printingoutput processing unit 24, as later explained, to the picture printingunit 3.

The processing executed in the data processing unit 5 in the pictureprocessing unit 6, such as editing, working, synthesis or correction,may be configured to permit subsequent addition or updating, from theremovable medium driving unit 10 or the computer interfacing unit 12, ofparameters used in each processing and software for each processing,such that a new function can be added to the printer device.

The picture data obtained on editing, working, synthesis or correctionand conversion in the picture processing unit 6 may be written or savedin the removable medium 17 via the removable medium driving unit 10.Also, picture data are sent to the host computer 19 connected to outsidevia computer interfacing unit 12 to enable multifarious uses of thepicture data picture processing software and the picture handlingsoftware in the host computer 19.

The picture processing unit 6 also includes the characteristicscorrection unit 4 in addition to the data processing unit 5. Thecharacteristics correction unit 4 is made up of the display deviceprocessing unit 22, picture signal processing unit 23 and the printingoutput processing unit 24.

The display device processing unit 22 is configured for performing thecorrection matched to the characteristics of the display device 15 inorder to display the first digital picture data or the occasionallyprocessed second digital picture data via the user interface unit 28 onthe display device 15.

The picture signal processing unit 23 is configured for performing thecorrection matched to characteristics of the display equipment forexternal connection and to characteristics of standard picture signalsoutputted to the display equipment for external connection, in order todisplay the first digital picture data or the occasionally processedsecond digital picture data via the user interface unit 28 on thedisplay equipment for external connection, such as external monitor.

There are occasions wherein the picture data outputted from the displaydevice processing unit 22 and the picture signal processing unit 23 tothe user interface unit 28 is synthesized with other data in the userinterface unit 28 to display the synthesized picture data on the displaydevice 15 or on the external monitor. In such case, the picture data isfrequently synthesized with the display or letters requesting usercommands or with a pattern generated in the data processing unit 5.

The printing output processing unit 24 is configured for converting andcorrecting data for printing in the picture printing unit 3 and forsending the corrected data to the picture printing unit 3. The printerdevice of the present invention effects starting of the actual printingoperation in an automatic printing system of inputting first digitalpicture data selected from plural picture data, occasionally correctingthe data, print-outputting processing the resulting data in the printingoutput processing unit 24, and printing and outputting a picture in thepicture printing unit 3. The printer device of the present inventionalso converts and corrects the first digital picture data sent from thedata processing unit 5, occasionally processed first digital picturedata or second digital picture data for printing by the picture printingunit 3 by the user selecting a picture for printing and outputting undercontrol by the user interface unit 28.

Usually, the first digital picture data, occasionally processed firstdigital picture data or second digital picture data are data of 8 ormore bits per color in RGB signals. However, three colors of CMY or fourcolors of CMYK are used as inks in a printer head 25 used in the pictureprinting unit 3. Thus, the printing output processing unit 24 convertsthe RGB signals into these colors, while effecting color correction forcorrecting color shift of the print output attributable to thenon-optimum spectroscopic sensitivity of each of the recording inks ofthe respective colors or toners, and effecting conversion correctionprocessing related to environmental conditions prevailing at the time ofrecording, such as printer head 25, inks, toner or colorationcharacteristics of the recording medium.

Also, the printing output processing unit 24 re-arrays the picture datatransferred to the printer head 25 in the printing sequence actuallyused in the printer head 25. To this end, a transient buffering RAM forprinting data may be provided in the printing output processing unit 24.Alternatively, when the data processing unit 5 reads out the picturedata from the picture memory 20, the readout addresses may be controlledto be in accordance with the printing sequence in the printer head 25.

In the present printer device, the picture displayed on thedisplay/external monitor and the picture printed on the picture printingunit 3 are represented as being of visually equivalent picture quality.

To this end, the setting of the display output characteristicsprescribing the display picture quality in the display/monitor iscorrected by the display device processing unit 22 and/or the videosignal processing unit 23 in association with the setting of printingcharacteristics prescribing the printing picture quality in the pictureprinting unit 3. Conversely, the setting of printing characteristicsprescribing the printing picture quality in the picture printing unit 3is corrected by the printing output processing unit 24 in associationwith the setting of the display output characteristics prescribing thedisplay picture quality in the picture display outputting unit 2.

The picture printing unit 3 is mainly made up of a print head drivingunit 26 and a printer head 25. When the printing operation is started,printing data processed with conversion and correction necessary forprinting by the printing output processing unit 24 in the pictureprocessing unit 6 is routed to the print head driving unit 26. The printhead driving unit 26 converts the printing data into the drivingvoltage, driving current and driving waveform sufficient for driving theprinter head 25, in accordance with the driving timing of the printerhead 25, to output the resulting driving voltage, driving current anddriving waveform to the printer head 25.

That is, the operation of the print head driving unit 26 occurs insynchronism with the operation of the printing mechanism accompanyingthe printing by the printer head 25, movement of the printer head 25,movement of the printer head 25, maintenance of the printer head 25 andthe ink furnishment. There are-occasions wherein an analog circuitconfiguration executes correction suitable for optimum printing inaccordance with the environmental status for printing on the basis of aninput from a detection device such as a temperature sensor. If thiscorrection processing can be executed by digital processing, it can beexecuted by the printing output processing unit 24 in the pictureprocessing unit 6. The print head driving unit 26 is configured andoperated in accordance with the type and the number of the printer heads25 to be in use, structure of the printing mechanism etc.

The printer head 25 is configured for actually emitting the recordingink on to the recording medium or depositing the recording toner on therecording medium for printing. The printer head may be enumerated by anink jet printer head disclosed in Japanese Laying-Open Patent H-7-164656or in Japanese Laying-Open Patent H-8-336990, both of which areincorporated herein by reference, in particular a flying recordingmaterial type printer head or a two-liquid mixing type printer head.Other examples of the printer head include a dye diffusion type thermalhead, a picture forming portion of a laser beam printer and so forth.

Of these, the flying recording material type printer head or thetwo-liquid mixing type printer head, capable of full-color half-tonerecording, are preferred in that these printer heads can realizefull-color printing to high picture quality. The line printer head andthe serial printer head can be constructed depending on the width of theprinter head. In the case of the line printer head, the printing timecan be reduced because it suffices for the recording medium to be movedin one direction with respect to the line printer head. In the case ofthe serial printer head, the recording medium and the serial printerhead need to be moved relative to each other in two directions.

In the present embodiment, the picture data input unit 1, pictureprocessing unit 6, picture memory 20, command device 8, display 15 andthe picture printing unit 3 are constructed unitarily to constitute amain body portion 21.

Alternatively, the picture inputting means 7 of the picture data inputunit 1 may be isolated from the main body portion 21. For example, thefilm reading unit 11 may be connected to the main body portion by abidirectional interface. If, in this case, the signals from thephotoelectric transducing element or control signals of the read-outmechanism are transmitted/received in two directions, the functionequivalent to that in case the film reading unit 11 is assembled intothe main body portion 21 can be achieved. In this case, a universalinterface such as an IEEE-1394 interface, may be used as the interface.By using this universal interface, transmission/reception with otherpicture input units 7 via this interface may be realized if the otherpicture inputting means 7 is used in place of the film reading unit 11and the software configuration controlling the communicationtherebetween is used.

If the picture inputting means 7 is provided in isolation from the mainbody portion 21 to permit separation from the main body portion 21, itbecomes possible to connect only the required portions of the pictureinput unit 7 to the main body portion 21 to permit size reduction of theprinter device and saving in the mounting space. The display device 15,assembled into the main body portion 21, is preferably movable on themain body portion 21. For example, the display device 15 is preferablyheld on the casing-like main body portion 21 via a support for rotationwithin a pre-set range to assure facilitated viewing and recognition bythe user. The display device 15 may be mounted in isolation from themain body portion 21 and preferably has a physical or electricalcoupling mechanism with respect to the main body portion 21 to permitviewing and recognition by the user even from remote places. That is,since the picture characteristics, such as color tones, of the displayedpicture on the display device 15 are susceptible to ambientenvironments, the display device 15 is preferably mounted for movementon the main body portion 21 or in isolation therefrom to facilitateviewing and recognition under a condition in which the environment inwhich the display device 15 is less susceptible to ambient environments.

The command device 8 may also be arranged to be separate from the mainbody portion 21 in which case the user is able to actuate the printerdevice from remote places.

By configuring the main body portion 21 as described above, the usingmethod or the correction method devoted to the present printer may beused. The result is the simplified using method and expeditiousprocessing made possible by the optimum algorithm.

For printing actually by this printer head, the following operation, forexample, is performed. First, for prompting the user to input a picture,the user interface unit 28 causes the display device 15 and/or theexternal monitor to make a display which will permit the user to selectfrom which picture input means 7 a picture is to be inputted. The useraccordingly selects the particular portion of the picture input means 7to be accessed, using the command device 8, in order to capture apicture desired to be printed. If the computer interfacing unit 12 isselected, selection may be made using the host computer 19 in place ofthe command device 8.

The selected picture input means 7 then converts the externally inputtedaccessible digital picture data and/or analog picture signals, either inthe non-contracted or in the contracted state, by analog/digitalconversion into first digital picture data which is routed via picturedata input/output unit 27 to the picture processing unit 6.

The aforementioned first digital picture data are inputted to the dataprocessing unit 5 in the picture processing unit 6 where picture dataare stored, if necessary, in the picture memory 20. Moreover, the datais corrected for specified picture characteristics for display on hedisplay device 15 or on the external monitor.

The picture data, corrected as described above, is outputted to thedisplay device 15 or to the external monitor for displaying the picture.If there are plural picture data accessible to he picture data inputunit 1 as described above, the picture data is occasionally contractedin size so that plural picture data will be displayed on the samepicture frame.

The user then commands, by a command device, a picture printed afterexecution of each processing, to the above-mentioned plural accessiblepicture data displayed on the display device 15 or on the externalmonitor. If processing is executed for the totality of accessiblepicture data, it is unnecessary for the user to select the picture data.this sets picture data for processing.

If, in the present printer device, a sequence of operations of inputtingthe selected first digital picture data to the data processing unit 5,where the control or processing for correcting picture tilt is effectedto generate adjusted or modified first digital picture data and/or theposition of the picture contents is changed to generate re-arrangedfirst digital picture data, or the correction for improving the picturequality and editing, working, synthesis or correction are sequentiallyperformed to produce second digital picture data which is print-outputprocessed in the picture printing unit 3 to print and output a picturein the picture printing unit 3, it is possible to selectively use anautomatic printing system of effecting the above processingautomatically or a manual system of varying the processing parameters bythe inputting of the command device to effect the above processingmanually, referred to below as the manual printing system.

If the above processing is effected automatically, it suffices if theuser issues the corresponding command, whereby the above-mentionedprocessing is executed.

If the above processing is carried out manually, each desired processingis sequentially performed on each of the first digital picture data.

If, when picture data desired to be printed is selected using theautomatic printing system or the manual printing system, these firstdigital picture data are not held in the complete state in the picturememory 20, the specified first digital picture data needs to be againread by the picture data input unit 1 so as to be held in the picturememory 20 via the picture processing unit 6.

If, when the selected first digital picture data is inputted to the dataprocessing unit 5, the picture contents of the pre-set first digitalpicture data are checked. If the picture is tilted, the same picture isagain rotated or otherwise controlled to correct the tilt to re-inputthe picture from the picture input means 7, or the equivalent processingis performed on the adjusted or changed first digital picture data.

It is possible to cause a picture of picture data read before correctingthe tilt of the picture on the display device 15 and to cause thecontrolled or processed picture for correcting the picture tilt on theexternal monitor. In this case, an area destined for control forrotation etc for a pre-processing or pre-control picture for correctingthe picture tilt may be displayed on the displayed picture forclarifying the area. The display contents on the display device 15 andon the external monitor may be reversed from those of the embodimentdescribed above. It is also possible to keep the pre-change picturedisplayed on the display device and to check the post-change picture bythe printed picture.

If the selected first digital picture data is entered to the dataprocessing unit 5, the picture contents of the pre-set first digitalpicture data are checked. If pre-set picture contents in the firstdigital picture data are within a specified range, the specified pictureare modified so as to be arranged in the prescribed region to generatefirst digital picture data and to effect correction for improving thepicture quality of the picture data.

At this time, the picture of the picture data as read before picturere-arrangement may be displayed on the display device 15, while there-arranged picture may be displayed on the external monitor. In thiscase, the range of the picture prior to pre-arrangement may be indicatedon the display picture to clarify the re-arranged picture to indicatethe re-arranged area, or the range may be indicated on the displayedpicture to clarify the sliced region. The display output contents on thedisplay device 15 and on the external monitor may be the same as orreversed from that in the previous embodiment. The pre-change picturemay be kept displayed on the display device while the post-amendmentpicture may be checked from the printed picture.

If, in the present printer device, a command for changing the processingcontents, namely the correction of the pre-set first digital picturedata, conversion to the printing data and a printing output, is inputtedfrom outside during a pre-set time interval which elapses since thepre-set first digital picture data, adjusted second digital picturedata, changed first digital picture data, re-arranged first digitalpicture data or the first digital picture data being processed isdisplayed, or a command for changing the processing contents, namely theconversion of-the pre-set second digital picture data into printing dataand a printing output is inputted from outside within a pre-set timeinterval which elapses since the second digital picture data obtained onediting etc of the pre-set first digital picture data, the processing ispreferably carried out in accordance with the manual printing systembased on the commands from outside.

If the control and the processing for correcting the tilt of the pre-setfirst digital picture data or the modification for re-arranging thepre-set first digital picture data is executed automatically and/ormanually in the data processing unit 5, the first digital picture datais occasionally converted into the second digital picture data. Theprinting output processing unit 24 then effects the processing requiredfor printing the first or second digital picture data in the pictureprinting unit 3. Thus, the picture data is converted into printing data,which is routed to the picture printing unit 3.

In the picture printing unit 3, the printer head 25 is driven via theprint head driving unit 26 to execute the actual printing. If thepre-set first digital picture data comes to a close, the printing of thenext first digital picture data is started in accordance with theautomatic or manual printing system.

If there is no necessity of editing etc the first digital picture data,it may be directly routed to the printing output processing unit 24 forsimilar processing.

If a manual input is made from outside to perform control or processingfor correcting the picture tilt or re-arranging of changing the picturearranging position, a command is issued from the command device 8 as theuser views the picture displayed on the picture display outputting unit2 to perform the desired processing to issue the printing command. Theadjusted or modified first digital picture data or the re-arranged firstdigital picture data are converted into printing data which is outputtedfor printing a picture.

The printing operation occurs in synchronism with the operation of therecording medium.

The present printer device is configured so that the characteristicscorrection unit 4 will correct the setting of display outputcharacteristics prescribing the display picture quality in the picturedisplay outputting unit 2 in accordance with the setting of printingcharacteristics prescribing the printing picture quality in the pictureprinting unit 3, or so that the characteristics correction unit 4 willcorrect the setting of printing characteristics prescribing the printingpicture quality in the picture printing unit 3 in accordance with thesetting of display output characteristics prescribing the displaypicture quality in the picture display outputting unit 2.

The circuit configuration of the present printer device is shown in FIG.36. The circuit configuration is similar to that shown in FIG. 5 andincludes the circuitry corresponding to the external connectionequipment 13, picture input means 7, picture data input/output unit 27,picture processing unit 6, picture display outputting unit 2, commanddevice 8 and the picture printing unit 3. That is, the circuitconfiguration includes the picture data interfacing circuit 39,removable medium driving device 40, film reading unit 41 and thecomputer interfacing unit 42, in association with the picture inputmeans 7, and the picture data input/output circuit 31 in associationwith the picture data input/output unit 27.

In particular, the printer device of the present invention includes aninput position adjustment unit 43, corresponding to the input positionadjustment unit 29, in the film reading unit 41.

The printer device also includes, as a circuit associated with thepicture processing unit 6, a data processing circuit 36, within whichthere are provided a data processing unit, a display device processingunit, a picture signal processing unit and a print output processingunit.

As the command device 8, the printer device includes plural keys 38 a,arranged on the printer device of the present embodiment to permit aninputting operation by the user, a pen-touch input device 38 b formedliquid crystal monitor 45 a arranged as the display device 15 and whichenables an inputting actuation by the user with a pen-like taperedinputting device, and a command device interfacing circuit 38 c forinputting to the user interface unit 28 as later explained. This commanddevice interfacing circuit 38 c prevents mistaken inputting attributableto the chattering phenomenon and is configured so that, if the sameportion of the key 38 a or the pen-touch input device 38 b iscontinuously thrust for a pre-set time duration, the circuit 38 c deemsthat the actuation has been done a plural number of times to transmitthe inputting to a circuit corresponding to the user interface unit 28the plural number of times.

In association with the display device 15 of the picture displayoutputting unit 2, there are provided a liquid crystal monitor 45 a anda display device outputting circuit 45 b to which are transferredpicture data in the picture memory 20. The circuit 45 b synthesizes amenu picture for display on the liquid crystal monitor 45 a to anactuation display picture for the pen-touch input device to form drivingsignals that can be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 45 a.

There is also provided a picture signal outputting circuit 46 which,based on picture data transferred from the picture memory 20 and ondisplay control signals from a circuit corresponding to the userinterface unit 28, as later explained, synthesizes a menu picturedisplayed on the external monitor and the actuation display picture forthe pen-touch input device to form standard picture signals that can bedisplayed on the external monitor, such as NTSC signals. In such case,the picture displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 45 a may be the sameas or different from the picture displayed on the external monitor.

The printer device also includes, in association with the pictureprinting unit 3, a print head driving circuit 56 and a printer head 25.The printer device also includes a print output mechanism controlcircuit 47 for effecting the driving of the mechanism required forprinting and status detection, such as by driving a variety of motors,clutches or a head maintenance mechanism, accepting inputs from varioussensors configured for detecting the motion of the recording medium orthat of the printer head and transmitting the results to a systemcontrol CPU 61 as later explained.

The present printer device also includes the system control CPU 61employing a working RAM 64 by the control software in the system ROM 62or in the flash memory 63. This system control CPU 61 performscomprehensive control of the printer device and operates as the circuitcorresponding to the user interface unit 28.

The above-mentioned various components are connected to a system controlbus 65, to which are also connected the above-mentioned circuits orunits, namely the picture data input/output circuit 31, data processingcircuit 36, command device interfacing circuit 38c, display deviceoutput circuit 45 b, picture signal outputting circuit 46, print outputmechanism control circuit 47 and the picture printing unit 3. Of these,the picture data input/output circuit 31, data processing circuit 36,display device output circuit 45 b, picture signal outputting circuit 46and the picture printing unit 3 are also connected to the picture databus 66 of the picture memory 20.

The control software in the flash memory 63 can be exchanged with a newone from the removable medium driving device 40 or the computerinterfacing unit 42 via the picture data input/output circuit 31.

If a unique control software is required in the operation of the dataprocessing circuit 36, and there is no ROM nor a volatile RAM in thedata processing circuit 36, such unique control software needed in thedata processing circuit 36 may be configured to be transmitted from thesystem ROM 62 or the flash memory 63 to the data processing circuit 36.It is desirable in such case to input the software needed in the dataprocessing circuit 36 from the removable medium driving device 40 andthe computer interfacing unit 42 for storage transiently in the flashmemory 63 or in the working RAM 64 for subsequent transfer to the dataprocessing circuit 36. The control executed by the system control CPU 61by the control software in the system ROM 62 or in the flash memory 63includes, first of all, the comprehensive control of the printer device.The control also includes driving control of the picture datainterfacing circuit 39, removable medium driving device 40, film readingunit 41 and the computer interfacing unit 42 via the picture datainput/output circuit 31, handling of picture data inputted by theabove-mentioned control and editing, working, synthesis or correctioncontrol for picture data in the data processing circuit 36, picturedisplay control for the liquid crystal monitor 45 a and the externalmonitor, user interfacing control for the inputting of the actuatingcommand from the key 38 a or the pen-touch input device 38 b and for theoutputting to the liquid crystal monitor 45 a and the external monitor,control of the print output mechanism control circuit 47 for effectingcomprehensive control of the picture printing unit 3, and othersupplementary control. In particular, the printer device of the presentinvention includes inputting control of input position control signals,specifying the results of verification of the picture contents by thedata processing circuit 36, to the input position adjustment unit 43 inthe film reading unit 41.

Thus, if, in the control software for the mechanical portion of thesystem control CPU 161, the shape and the operating method of theprinter head 25, such as a line head or a serial head, and the operatingmethod for the recording medium, are changed, the contents of thesoftware and the circuit contents are changed. Stated differently, thecontrol software and the control circuit are determined by themechanical structure of the printer head 25.

The processing performed in actual printing is as follows: That is, inFIG. 16, the digital picture data or picture signals or digital data,inputted from the external connection equipment 13, are converted by thepicture data interfacing circuit 39, removable medium driving device 40,film reading unit 41and the computer interfacing unit 42, correspondingto the picture input means 7, into first digital picture data, which isinputted to the picture data input/output circuit 31 corresponding tothe picture data input/output unit 27.

The first digital picture data then is routed via the picture data bus66 to the data processing circuit 36 under control by the input/outputcontrol signals from the system control bus 65. Of course, the systemcontrol CPU 61 is performing controlling of the timing etc.

The deciphered results of the picture contents of the first digitalpicture data in the data processing circuit 36 are sent over the systemcontrol bus 65 to the input position adjustment unit 43. Of course, thesystem control CPU 61 is performing controlling of the timing etc.

The data processing circuit 36 extracts at least one of a verticalpicture component and a horizontal picture component of the pre-setfirst digital picture data inputted via the picture data input/outputcircuit 31. The vertical picture component and the horizontal picturecomponent are components that can be approximated in the verticaldirection and in the horizontal direction of the picture frame,respectively. If one of these picture components is detected, an anglewhich the extracted picture component makes with the associated verticalor horizontal direction is found and inputted as an input positioncontrol signal to the input position adjustment unit 43. In the inputposition adjustment unit 43, the input position of the analog picturesignals, from which the above-mentioned pre-set first digital picturedata has been originated, is rotationally moved and adjusted to generateadjusted first digital picture data.

It is also possible to modify the picture contents of the first digitalpicture data in the data processing circuit 36 by rotational movement togenerate the modified first digital picture data.

That is, if, in the present printer device, an object for imaging istilted with respect to a picture frame in the pre-set first digitalpicture data, the vertical picture component and/or the horizontalpicture component in the object for imaging is extracted to decipher theangle which these picture components make with the associated directionsto correct the tilt automatically to produce a printed picture having asufficient composition.

Also, in the present printer device, the data processing circuit 36verifies whether or not pre-set picture contents of the first digitalpicture data in the data processing circuit 36 are present in a pre-setregion of the first digital picture data. If the pre-set picturecontents are present in the pre-set region, the data processing circuit36 modifies the pre-set picture contents so as to be present in theprescribed region to re-arrange the pre-set first digital picture datato generate the re-arranged first digital picture data.

The first digital picture data, occasionallyadjusted/modified/re-arranged, are processed in a pre-set fashion by thedata processing circuit 36 to generate second digital picture data whichis saved in the picture memory 20 if so required. In such case, thepre-set processing is sent from the key 38 a or the pen-touch inputdevice 38 b via the command device interfacing circuit 38 c to the dataprocessing circuit 36. Of course, the system control CPU 61 isperforming the timing etc at this time.

The second digital picture data, processed in a pre-set fashion, is sentto the display device output circuit 45 b, picture signal outputtingcircuit 46 and to the print head driving circuit 56 to effect picturedisplay and printing. Of course, the system control CPU 61 iscontrolling the timing etc. and the above-described various componentsare operating as normally.

Certain illustrative examples of the data processing circuit 36 are nowexplained. The first example is shown in FIG. 37. The data processingcircuit 36 shown therein uniquely includes a data processing controlsystem 74, mainly comprised of a data processing CPU 71, a dataprocessing program RAM 72 and a data processing working RAM 73 and whichoperates as a controller for controlling each picture data calculationunit as later explained. The data processing circuit 36 also includesplural calculation circuits 75 operating as picture data calculationunits and a data router circuit 76 operating as a picture data transferunit for sending data to the calculating circuits 75 to control thedestination of data outputted from the calculating circuits 75. Thisdata router circuit 76 is controlled by the data processing controlsystem 74. Also, the control from the system control CPU 61 shown inFIG. 36 is accepted by the system control bus interface 77. The dataprocessing control system 74, data router circuit 76 and the systemcontrol bus interface 77 are interconnected via data processing bus 79.Each calculating circuit 75 includes a picture data interface 78 forcontrolling the inputting and the outputting of picture data to or fromthe calculating circuits 75.

That is, the control from the system control CPU 61 is accepted by thecontrol bus interface 77 and transmitted to the data processing CPU 71,while the information such as that on the operating state is transmittedfrom the data processing CPU 71 to the system control CPU 61.

The data processing is executed by the following sequence in the dataprocessing circuit. Here, the operation of processing picture data heldin the picture memory 20 for holding the processed data again in thepicture memory 20 is explained.

First, the control software to be executed (data processing software) istransferred from the flash memory 63 or the system ROM 62 in the systemcontrol CPU 61 via the system control bus interface 77 to the dataprocessing program RAM 72.

The system control CPU 61 then commands the data processing CPU 71 tostart execution of data processing via system control bus interface 77.The data processing CPU 71 reads out picture data for processing, viapicture data interface 78, based on the transferred control software(data processing software), and inputs the read-out picture data to aparticular one of the calculating circuits 75 via data router circuit76. Each of the calculating circuits 75 executes data processing on theinput picture data, based on the control software (data processingsoftware), to write the as-executed picture data via the data routercircuit 76 and the picture data interface 78 in the picture memory 20 aspicture data.

If the next calculations are to be carried out in succession, thepicture data are inputted to the next particular calculating circuit 75via data router circuit 76. By sequentially reading out picture datafrom the picture memory 20, executing the calculations thereon andre-writing the data in the picture memory 20 as picture data, dataprocessing is executed in accordance with the control software (dataprocessing software).

During processing or after the end of the processing of the picturedata, the data processing CPU 71 apprises the system control CPU 61 ofthe process or the results of the processing via the system control businterface 77, whereby the system control CPU 61 is able to comprehendthe process or the results of the processing being executed. The dataprocessing working RAM 73 is used for holding the data processingparameters sent from the system control CPU 61 or the operating state ofthe data processing CPU 71.

The plural calculating circuits 75 operating as the picture datacalculating units are separately used in the following manner.

For example, it suffices if the plural calculating circuits 75 executethe same processing, the calculating circuits 75 and the pre-set rangesin the first digital picture data are adapted to correspond to eachother and if the calculating circuits 75 associated with the respectiveranges of the first digital picture data perform the same processing inthe associated calculating circuits 75.

For example, if the respective calculating circuits 75 perform the sameprocessing, and the pre-set range corresponds to one row or one columnin the first digital picture data, it suffices if the processing of therow or column of the first digital picture data is executed by acalculating circuit A of the plural calculating circuits 75, while theprocessing of the row or column of the second digital picture data isexecuted by a calculating circuit B of the plural calculating circuits75.

For example, if the respective calculating circuits 75 perform the sameprocessing, and the pre-set range is one row or one column of the firstdigital picture data, it suffices if the processing for one row orcolumn of the first digital picture data is processed by a calculatingcircuit A of the plural calculating circuits 75, while the processing ofthe second row or column is executed by a calculating circuit B of theplural calculating circuits 75.

Also, in the present printer device, it is possible for the pluralcalculating circuits 75 to perform different processing operations,while it is also possible for the calculating circuits 75 to performdifferent processing operations sequentially on the totality of thefirst digital picture data. By so doing, since the sole picture dataread out from the picture memory is processed a plural number of timesto execute plural pre-set operations, whereby the number of times ofaccessing to the picture display outputting unit 20 is decreased toreduce the time required in performing plural pre-set processingoperations.

The result is that the time which elapses since the user issued a startcommand for an operation until the operation comes to a close can bereduced, so that the time the user is kept waiting is significantlyshorter than conventionally.

The methods of employing these plural calculating circuits 75 may bepre-fixed or varied by setting from the control software (dataprocessing software). The number of the calculating circuits 75connected in tandem is selected to an optimum value depending on therequired processing speed, complexity in processing, size of the picturedata and the circuit scale constituting the respective calculatingcircuits 75.

The data processing circuit shown in FIG. 38 may also be used. The dataprocessing circuit shown in FIG. 38 corresponds to the data processingcircuit shown in FIG. 37 less the calculating circuits 75 and the datarouter circuit 76 and hence the same reference numerals are used todepict corresponding parts and are not explained specifically. The dataprocessing CPU 71 used is to be able to execute high-speed processing,with DSP, RISC CPU or the dedicated data processing CPU being used. Thatis, if the control software (data processing software) is arranged to betime-sharing, it is possible to realize a pseudo-operation similar tothat performed by the plural calculating circuits 75 shown in FIG. 17.

The data processing circuit shown in FIG. 39 may also be used. In thisdata processing circuit, plural data processing circuits 80 are arrangedin parallel, each data processing circuit 80 being connected via thesystem control bus interface 77 to a control system of the entire deviceby the system control CPU 61 and to the picture data bus 66 via thepicture data interface 78. Each data processing circuit 80 may beconstituted by a dedicated calculating circuit, a universal calculatingcircuit and a universal calculating control circuit or by a universalcalculating control circuit. The control software (data processingsoftware) is transferred via the system control bus interface 77 to eachof the data processing circuits 80 to perform control to cause the dataprocessing to be executed on the picture data in the picture memory 20.That is, the plural data processing circuits 80 operate respectively asthe picture data calculating units and as picture data transfer units.The data processing circuits 80 may be arranged to perform the sameprocessing or different processings depending on the arranging of data,as in the case of the calculating circuits 75, shown in FIG. 37.

The data processing flow in the present printer device is explained withreference to FIGS. 40 and 41, in which slanted lines affixed to the dataflow indicating lines denote that data flowing therein is data with notless than 8 bits/color. As explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 36,the computer interfacing unit 42 of the picture input means 7 shown inFIG. 40 outputs the input RGB picture data from outside to the picturedata input/output circuit 31 as RGB picture data, while the picture datainterfacing circuit 39, removable medium driving device 40 and the filmreading unit 41 output the read-out picture data or picture signals tothe picture data input/output circuit 31 as RGB picture data.

The picture data input/output circuit 31 then multiplexes picture datafrom the picture input means 7 to output the multiplexed picture data tothe data processing unit 5.

Referring to FIG. 41, the data processing unit 5 is made up of acompression/expansion unit 81, a picture verification unit 89, a picturecalculation unit 90, a gradation correcting unit 83, a color tonecorrection unit 84, a contour enhancing correcting unit 85, correctionunit 86, a picture synthesis editing unit 87 and a picture working unit88. If the input picture data from the picture data input/output circuit31 is not of ideal picture quality characteristics, the data processingunit 5 corrects the picture quality for improving the picture quality ofa picture displayed on the display device 45 a or on an externalmonitor, or that of a picture printed by the picture printing unit 3. Ifthe picture data has characteristic properties, the data processing unit5 corrects these properties to improve the picture quality.

The compression/expansion unit 81 is required for holding picture datain the picture memory 20 in an reversible or irreversible form.Specifically, the compression/expansion unit 81 compresses the RGBpicture data inputted to the data processing unit 5, RGB data processedin various ways and, if necessary, RGB picture data between respectiveprocessing stages, to store the compressed data in the picture memory 20as compressed picture data. The data processing unit 5 also has thefunction of reading out and expanding the picture data held in thecompressed form in the picture memory 20 into non-compressed RGB picturedata which is processed in various ways and outputted to respectivecomponents in the data processing unit 5.

The RGB picture data, inputted to the data processing unit 5, isinputted to the picture verification unit 89. This picture verificationunit 89 is configured for extracting from the picture data pre-setpicture components, such as vertical and horizontal picture components,and for detecting the angle between the vertical and horizontal picturecomponents and the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively. Theresults of verification are inputted from the data processing unit 5 tothe input position adjustment unit 43, as shown in FIGS. 40 and 41. Theresults of verification may also be inputted to the picture calculationunit 90 which will be explained subsequently.

The input position adjustment unit 43 may, if necessary, adjust theinputting position of the analog picture signals, from which the firstdigital picture data is originated, to generate again the adjusted firstdigital picture data.

The picture verification unit 89 verifies whether or not pre-set picturecontents are present in a specified range of the picture data to inputthe verified results to the picture calculation unit 90 which will beexplained subsequently.

The RGB picture data from the picture verification unit 89 are inputtedto the picture calculation unit 90. This picture calculation unit 90 isconfigured for rotating and slicing the first digital picture data,based on the verified results of the picture verification unit 89, ifthe first digital picture data adjusted by the input position adjustmentunit 43 is not generated. The picture calculation unit 90 also isconfigured for approximating the vertical and/or horizontal picturecomponents to the vertical and/or horizontal direction, respectively.The picture calculation unit 90 may occasionally enlarge the slicedpicture data.

The picture calculation unit 90 is also configured for modifying pre-setpicture contents so as to be arranged in the prescribed region forgenerating the re-arrange first digital picture data if the pictureverification unit 89 has issued a decision that the pre-set picturecontents of the, picture data are present in the prescribed range. Inaddition, if the input picture size is not of a size that permitshandling in the data processing unit 5, the input picture may beenlarged or reduced into the size range.

The RGB picture data from the picture calculation unit 90 are inputtedto the gradation correcting unit 83. The gradation correcting unit 83 isconfigured for correcting the gradation characteristics of the inputpicture data to improve the picture quality of a printed and outputtedpicture if the gradation characteristics histogram of the input picturedata is considerably offset. The gradation correcting unit 83 is alsoconfigured for improving the gradation characteristics of the entirepicture by correcting a non-optimum light exposure at the same time asthe time of imaging because the non-optimum light exposure then wouldlead to excessively dark picture or to an excessively bright picture. Ifgamma characteristics of the input picture data can be improved insimilar manner, the gradation correcting unit 83 corrects the gammacharacteristics.

The RGB data from the gradation correcting unit 83 is inputted to thecolor tone correction unit 84 which, similarly to the gradationcorrecting unit 83, is configured for correcting the color tonecharacteristics of the input picture data for improving the picturequality of the printed and outputted picture if the input picture dataexhibit significantly offset color tone characteristics. The gradationcorrecting unit 83 is also able to correct specified color tones,especially skin color or gray color tone offset from an optimum range,to an optimum range, in addition to correcting the overall color tone.

The RGB data from the color tone correction unit 84 is inputted to thecontour enhancing correcting unit 85, which is configured for correctingthe picture contour to an optimum value if the input picture data is ofan indefinite or excessively emphasized picture contour.

The RGB picture data from the contour enhancing correcting unit 85 isinputted to a spare correction unit 86 which is configured for executingan occasionally added processing for improving the input picture qualityin addition to the above-mentioned processing.

The RGB picture data, processed as described above, are then inputted tothe picture synthesis editing unit 87 and to the picture working unit88. These units 87, 88 are configured for executing various processingoperations on an input picture based on user commands from the userinterface unit and for synthesizing or editing plural input pictures togenerate a picture for ultimate printing.

The above-described respective units are also able to synthesize apicture pattern provided in input picture data from the outset. It isalso possible for the user to input a desired picture pattern from acommand device, such as a pen-touch input device, under control by theuser interface unit in the course of the editing operation in order tosynthesize this picture pattern and the input picture pattern.

The control software for executing the synthesis, editing and working onthe picture data, and picture patterns provided from the outset, can beconfigured to be newly inputted from the removable medium driving deviceand from the computer interfacing circuit.

The RGB signals outputted from the data processing unit 5 are inputtedto the display device processing unit 22, picture signal processing unit23 and to the printing output processing unit 24.

The display device processing unit 22 is configured for correctingdisplay output characteristics characteristic of the display device 45 ain a case where the high picture quality display or display of a pictureof a picture quality equivalent to the printed picture cannot beachieved because of display output characteristics proper to the displaydevice 45 a if picture data outputted by the data processing unit 5 isdirectly displayed on the display device 45 a. This display deviceprocessing unit 22 is made up of a print adaptive correction unit 91, aslater explained, an output characteristics correction unit 92 forcorrecting characteristics other than output gamma characteristics aslater explained and an output gamma conversion unit 93 for correctingoutput gamma characteristics characteristic of the display device.

The picture signal processing unit 23 is configured for convertingoutput picture data from the data processing unit 5 into standardpicture signals represented by NTSC signals and outputting the resultingstandard picture signals. This picture signal processing unit 23 is madeup of a print adaptive correction unit 94, as later explained, an outputcharacteristics converting unit 95 for doing necessary connection otherthan the output gamma characteristics, similarly as later explained, andan output gamma characteristics conversion unit 96, arranged in thisorder. The picture signal processing unit 23 also performs theprocessing of converting the display range of the picture data into arange of representing standard picture signals if the possible range ofrepresentation of picture data differs from the range of representingthe standard picture signals. The standard picture signals in thepicture signal processing unit 23 may also be picture signals conformingto the standard picture signals.

The printing output processing unit 24 is configured for convertingoutput picture data from the data processing unit 5 into signals thatcan be inputted to the print head driving circuit 56 in order to recordthe output picture data from the data processing unit 5 from the printerhead 25 on the recording medium. The processing by the printing outputprocessing unit 24 includes the conversion by a look-up table (LUT),calculation exploiting a calculation circuit capable of executinghigh-speed product/sum operation, calculation by a software having ahigh-speed calculation algorithm, or processing by a dedicatedconversion circuit. If, when the calculation processing is executedsequentially, the processing is executed at all times with the samenumber of bits as the number of each data in the input picture data, theeffective precision of each data tends to be lowered. In such case, itis possible to increase the number of bits in each data in the course ofthe calculations in comparison with the number of bits of the initialpicture data, with the number of bits being decreased at the time oflast processing to eke out the increased number of bits to avoid theeffective precision from becoming worsened.

The printing output processing unit 24 is made up of an RGB-CMYconversion unit 98, a color correction unit 99, a black extractionunder-color removing unit 100, an output gamma correction gradationcorrection unit 101, a sharpness correction unit 102 and an outputcharacteristics conversion unit 103, arranged in this order. This, ofcourse, is merely illustrative and may be configured differently.

The RGB-CMY conversion unit 98 is responsible for converting RGB picturedata into data of respective colors of C (cyan), M (magenta) and Y(yellow) of the inks or toners used in the printer head 25. Thisconversion is effected by gray level log conversion, complementary colorconversion or linear masking conversion.

The picture data, converted into CMY picture data as described above, isinputted to the color correction unit 99, which is configured forcorrecting the excursions of the color tone (especially the color hueand saturation) of the printed picture by the picture printing unit 3caused due to spectroscopic absorption characteristics of the CMY colorinks or toners differing from ideal characteristics by subtractive colormixing.

The color correction by the color correction unit 99 is effected byconversion by the lookup table (LUT) and calculations, linear maskingcalculations, non-linear masking calculations, etc. On the other hand,the maximum representable range of characteristics of picture datafrequently differ from that of a picture printed on the recording mediumby the printer head 25, so that, if the maximum range for the picturedata is broader than that of the printed picture, the portion of therepresentable range of picture data exceeding the representable range ofthe printed picture cannot be represented if no countermeasures areused. Thus, in the color correction unit 99, it becomes necessary toeffect compression or clipping of the entire picture data in order torepresent this exceeding portion. There are occasions wherein aconversion method is used which evades excursions of the color tone as aresult of the conversion, such as compression or clipping.

Also, when printing the picture data by the picture printing unit 3 on arecording medium, it is a frequent occurrence that emphasis is used inthe conversion process in such a manner that many persons will feel thepicture to be beautiful. That is, if the original picture data in thepicture representation, in particular the color representation,indicated by the picture data, is simply converted into CMY data in sucha manner as to maintain colorimetric values indicated on a color meter,and the as-converted CMY data is directly printed on the printer head,only a picture low in saturation, that is low in impressiveness, isobtained, with the majority of viewers not being satisfied with colorregeneration (regeneration in color hue, brightness and saturation).Thus, in order to eke out this deficiency, emphasizing reproduction,referred to below as preferred reproduction, is additionally used ineffecting conversion from the picture data. In effecting this preferredreproduction, mainly preferred color reproduction and preferredgradation reproduction, are used. In a majority of cases, the preferredcolor reproduction is performed in the color correction unit 99, whilethe preferred gradation reproduction is performed in the output gammacorrection gradation correction unit 101 as later explained. Of course,these can be executed by the same processing. The degree of thepreferred reproduction may occasionally be changed depending on thedestination of product delivery since the average degree of thepreferred reproduction may vary from one destination of delivery toanother.

The CMY picture data is inputted to the black extraction under-colorremoving unit 100, which is designed so that, if there is a black ink ortoner (BK) in the printer head 25, and if each CMY data has a BKcomponent, it substitutes the BK ink or BK toner for the BK components.The BK component in each CMY picture data, replaced by BK, is removedfrom the data values of the CMY picture data.

There are a variety of methods of substituting the BK ink or toner forthe BK components in the CMY, such as a method for total substitution, amethod for substitution in a pre-set proportion or a method forsubstitution by a region exceeding a pre-set gray level. By representingthe BK component in the CMY data with the BK ink or toner, the blackrepresentation in a picture that can be represented only insufficientlyby the respective inks or toners in CMY can be represented to asufficient level. The data of the BK component is indicated as K in FIG.20.

The CMYK picture data is then inputted to the output gamma correctiongradation correction unit 101. If picture representation characteristicson the recording medium by the printer head has print outputtingproperties characteristic of the recording ink or toner and half-tonerepresentation method, the output gamma correction gradation correctionunit 101 performs output gamma correction and gradation correctionsuited to the print outputting characteristics. The output gammacorrection gradation correction unit 101 effects conversion of theoriginal picture data such as to optimize gradation representation onprinting. It is also possible to effect the preferred gradationreproduction, previously explained in connection with the colorcorrection unit 99.

The CMYK picture data then is inputted to the sharpness correction unit102 which is responsible for effecting contour enhancement and smoothingto improve the printing picture quality.

The CMYK picture data then is inputted to the output characteristicsconversion unit 103 which is configured for effecting specifiedcorrecting operations depending on the type of the printer head 25, thedriving methods of the printer head 25, the types of the recordingmedium and the inks or toners, to improve the printing picture quality.Examples of these correcting operations include those of the ambienttemperature at the time of printing, heat hysteresis and fluctuation ofthe respective elements of the printer head 25. Among these correctingoperations, those which can be desirably effected in the print headdriving circuit 56 may be carried out in the print head driving circuit56.

The present printer device is configured for correcting the setting ofthe display outputting characteristics prescribing the display picturequality in display 15 or the external monitor, in association with thesetting of printing characteristics prescribing the printing picturequality in the picture printing unit 3, in order to visually equate thepicture quality of the display picture on the display device 45 a withthat of the printed picture by the picture printing unit 3.Specifically, the correction parameters specifying the contents ofcorrection to be executed by the display device processing unit 22 andvideo signal processing unit 23 to visually equate the picture qualityare sent to the print adaptive correction unit 91 and the print adaptivecorrection unit 94 of the display device processing unit 22, inassociation with the change of the printing characteristics of theprinting output processing unit 24, in particular the processingcontents. That is, in the display device processing unit 22, the RGBpicture data possess the correction parameters in the print adaptivecorrection unit 91, to which the data is inputted first, and theprocessing is continued in this state, so that the correction parametersare displayed on the display device 45 a.

The same applies for the video signal processing unit 23. That is, theRGB picture data possess the correction parameters in the print adaptivecorrection unit 94 to which the data is inputted first, and theprocessing is continued in this state, so that the correction parametersare displayed on the external monitor. The result is that the displayedpicture on the display device 45 a and that on the external monitor arevisually equated in picture quality to the printed picture by thepicture printing unit 3.

In the present embodiment, the display outputting characteristics ofdisplay device processing unit 22 and video signal processing unit 23are corrected in accordance with the printing characteristics of thepicture printing unit 3, specifically the processing contents by theprinting output processing unit 24, to visually equate the displaypicture on the picture display outputting unit to the picture printed bythe picture printing unit. It is however possible to match the printingcharacteristics of the picture printing unit, specifically theprocessing contents of the printing output processing unit 24, to thedisplay outputting characteristics of the display device processing unit22 and the picture signal processing unit 23.

The data processing flow may be designed as shown in FIG. 42, whichdiffers from FIG. 40 only with respect to the absence of the printadaptive correction unit 91 of the display device processing unit 22 andthe print adaptive correction unit 94 of the picture printing unit 3 andhence to lines indicating correction parameters from the printing outputprocessing unit 24. Therefore, the remaining portions are depicted bythe corresponding reference numerals and are not explained specifically.

However, if the data processing flow is as indicated in FIG. 42, thecorrection parameters specifying the contents of the correction to beperformed by the printing output processing unit 24 are inputted to thecolor correction unit 99 and to the output gamma correction gradationcorrection unit 101 of the printing output processing unit 24, in orderto achieve visual equation of the picture quality in association withchanges of the display outputting characteristics of the display deviceprocessing unit 22. That is, in the printing output processing unit 24,the RGB picture data possess the correction parameters in the colorcorrection unit 99 and in the output gamma correction gradationcorrection unit 101 substantially governing the picture characteristics.The processing proceeds in this state so that the RGB picture data areprinted in the picture printing unit 3. The result is that the displaypicture on the display device 45 a is visually equated in picturequality to the printed picture by the picture printing unit 3.

An illustrative displaying sequence of a menu picture on the displaydevice 15 on the external monitor is now explained. An initial pictureis a picture indicating the menu 110 as shown in FIG. 43. It is assumedthat the picture is of a touch panel type picture in which the inputtingprocessing is by direct physical touch in a pre-set picture portion. Onthis picture 110, there are indicated plural input unit selection keys111, specifying respective names for selecting an external connectionequipment and picture inputting means, and a picture display area 112.If an external connection equipment and picture input means are selectedby an input unit selecting key 111, a picture 113 to which access may behad from the selected means is displayed as a reduced-size picture inthe picture display area 112.

On this picture 110, there are also displayed a details setting key 114,used for selecting the picture 113 under specified conditions, aselection key 128 for selecting the picture 113 displayed as areduced-size picture, a print number input key 129 for inputting thenumber of prints, an automatic print key 130 for automatically verifyingand correcting the picture contents to start the automatic printingsystem and a cancellation key 116 for aborting the processing. It a userselectively specifies one of the external connection equipment or thepicture inputting means by the input unit selecting key 111, pluralpictures 113 that can now be read as a result of the selection aredisplayed in the picture display area 112. If there is the informationancillary to the information of the picture 113, such as the headerinformation, the information is displayed in association with theinformation 113. If the user then selects the desired picture 113 by theselection key 128, there is made a display that the picture 113 has beenselected. If there is no picture desired to be printed in the displayedpictures 113, there is no need to make the selection. If conditioninputting, etc. can be made on selecting the details setting key 114, itis possible for the user to select the picture 113 under specifiedconditions such as imaging time and date.

If the picture data for printing is selected, or the selectingconditions are set, and the user intends to cause the picture data to beprinted sequentially automatically, that is checks or corrects theselected picture data sequentially automatically to effect the printing,the user selects the automatic print key 130 for initiating theautomatic printing system. This allows the respective processingoperations to be effected on the pre-selected plural picture data toeffect the printing.

If plural picture data are displayed as described above, preferably theprinted data already printed are displayed differently from the picturedata represented as a contracted picture to indicate the picture isalready printed.

Preferably, the picture data being processed are indicated as beingunder processing. Also preferably, the picture data being processed maybe displayed to an enlarged scale and the picture data representing theresults of processing are displayed as the correction processing etcprogresses.

If the automatic print key 130 is selected, a sole picture 117, from theplural picture data selected on the picture frame 110, plural processingdisplay keys 118 for specifying the control and the processing forcorrecting the picture tilt, processing for changing the position of thepre-set picture contents or correcting processing for the processing A,processing B, processing C, . . . , processing X, to be sequentiallyexecuted to change the positions of the pre-set picture contents, aprint key 119 for commanding the printing start and a cancellation key120 for aborting the processing, are displayed as a picture, as shown inFIG. 44A.

That is, the status of the progress of the respective correctionprocessing operations is displayed on the picture and a picturedisplaying the processing results is displayed during or after theexecution.

If the correction processing can be started from a specified portion inthe picture 117, the display of the processed portion is preferablychanged gradually to the post-processing display since then the state ofprogress of the processing can be checked during the processing.

The correction processing may be assumed to be a processing havingvariable parameters and a processing not having the variable parameters.It is assumed that the processing AS is the processing having thevariable parameters. If such correction processing is going on, itsuffices if a picture 110, having a picture 117, a processing displayunit 121 indicating the processing going on, a selection key 112 forselecting the indication or reversion to a previous picture (pictureshown in FIG. 44 a), a cancellation key 123 for aborting the processing,a variable parameter selecting portion 126 and a decision key 127 forsetting the processing, is displayed, as shown in FIG. 44B.

The variable parameter selecting portion 126 includes a slide volumeindicating portion 125, for indicating the level of the variableparameter, and adjustment keys 124 a, 124 b for vertically moving thevariable parameter, as shown in FIG. 44 b. Here, if the left adjustmentkey 124 a in FIG. 44 b is thrust, the variable parameter level is movedtowards left, whereas, if the right adjustment key 124 b in FIG. 44 b isthrust, the variable parameter level is moved towards right. Forexample, if the variable parameter is the luminance of a picture, theleft adjustment key 124 a in FIG. 44 b is the luminance lowering key andthe right adjustment key 124 b in FIG. 44 b is the luminance increasingkey, the picture displayed is changed in luminance by adjusting theadjustment keys 124 a, 124 b for varying the level of the slide volumeindicating portion 125.

It is now assumed that the processing B is a processing not having thevariable parameter. If such correction processing is going on, itsuffices if a picture frame 110, having a picture 117, a processingdisplay unit 121 indicating the processing the going on, a selection key122 for selecting the indication or reversion to a previous picture(picture shown in FIG. 44 a), a cancellation key 123 for aborting theprocessing, and a decision key 127 for setting the processing, isdisplayed, as shown in FIG. 44 a.

If the automatic print key 130 for starting the automatic printingsystem is selected, the processing explained in FIG. 44 a, processinghaving the variable parameter explained in FIG. 44 b or the processingnot having the variable parameter explained in FIG. 44C, whichever isoptimum for execution, is automatically selected.

If the selected processing is that having the variable parameter, thelevel of the optimum variable parameter level is automatically set. Ifplural processing operations are to be executed, the sequence of hevarious processing operations is automatically set. Thus, in theautomatic printing system, the user is not compelled to commandexecution of the respective processing operations, or to set the levelof the variable parameter.

Even in the automatic printing system, it is possible for the user toset the processing operations to be executed and the level of thevariable parameter by partially manual operation as he or she checks thedisplayed picture 117. That is, the partially manual operation may bemade even during execution of the automatic printing system.

The correction processing operations are executed on a picture shown inFIGS. 44 b and 44 c and, in the case of the automatic printing system,the decision key 127 is selected automatically. If, during execution ofthe automatic printing system, the user manually executes the processingand the setting of the variable parameter level, and has recognized thatthe processing can be terminated, he or she selects the decision key127. This causes the reversion to the picture frame shown in FIG. 44 ato start the printing.

An illustrative operation of the present printer device is now explainedby the flowchart shown schematically in FIGS. 45 to 47. First, at stepS1 in FIG. 45, the power source is turned on. This causes the processingmenu shown in FIG. 43 to be displayed at step S2. Then, at step S3, itis checked whether or not a command for selecting the picture inputmeans for inputting picture data or the external connection equipment isto be issued. If the command is to be issued, the desired commandeddevice is selected, and a picture data interfacing unit is driven atstep S4. Since there are a plural number of the picture input means orthe external connection equipments, as described above, the removablemedium driving-device is run at step S5, while a film reading unit and acomputer interfacing unit are driven at steps S5 and S6, respectively.That is, the program moves to one of the steps S4 to S7 depending on theselection at step S3.

If the selection command for the picture inputting means for inputtingpicture data or the external connection equipment is not issued at stepS3, it is again checked at step S3 whether the selection command for thepicture inputting means for inputting picture data or the externalconnection equipment is issued.

The picture data outputted from the picture input means or the externalconnection equipments, as selected at steps S4 to S7, are displayed as apicture by the display device or the external monitor as a picture. Ifplural picture data are outputted from the selected picture input meansor the external connection equipments, the outputted plural picture dataare displayed on the display device or the external monitor as pluralcontracted pictures.

Then, at step S9, it is verified whether or not the selection of thepicture input means or the external connection equipments is to bechanged. In the absence of the command for changing the selection of thepicture input means or the external connection equipments, it isverified at step S10 whether or not selection command for the picturefor processing is to be issued. The processing herein means theprocessing of editing, working or correction by the picture processingunit, the printing processing by the picture printing unit andrespective processing operations for these processings.

If the picture for processing is not selected from the plural displayedpictures, and if a command for changing the picture input means or theexternal connection equipments, the picture input means or the externalconnection equipments is again selected at step S9 and accordingly oneof the steps S4 to S7 is executed.

The picture selected at step S10 as described above is processed toindicate the fact of selection at step S11 and is displayed at step S12to indicate the fact of the selection. At step S13, it is verifiedwhether or not the automatic printing or the processing such as editing,working or correction is to be effected on the picture selected asdescribed above. If the command for execution is issued, picture data ofthe picture in question is read at step S14. If a picture for processinghas not been selected at step S10, it is directly sent to step S13.

In the absence of the command for executing the automatic printing orthe processing such as editing, working or correction, it is againverified at step S9 whether or not the picture input means or theexternal connection equipments is to be selected.

By sequentially passing through the steps S9, S10 and S13, the programis in the state of awaiting the command of changing selection of thepicture input means or the external connection equipment and ofselecting the picture for processing and the command for execution ofthe automatic printing or the processing such as editing, working orcorrection.

The picture read at step S14 as a picture in question for executing theautomatic printing or the processing, such as editing, working orcorrection, is displayed at step S15 on the display device or theexternal monitor. After the reading and display of the picture data inquestion, the tilt of the picture is detected at step S16 by a pictureverification unit, as shown in FIG. 46. If the picture tilt is verifiedto be detected at step S17, it is checked whether or not there is theinput position adjustment unit in the picture data input unit.

If the input position adjustment unit is verified to be present in thepicture data input unit at step S18, the input position of the analogpicture signals, from which has been originated the pre-set firstdigital picture data, is adjusted by rotational movement. At step S20,the picture data input unit is again driven to generate adjusted firstdigital picture data. At step S21, the adjusted first digital picturedata is displayed and outputted on the display device or on the externalmonitor. Then, at step S25, the picture quality improving processing isexecuted. The picture quality improving processing is executed forimproving the picture quality of the picture displayed on the displaydevice or on the external monitor or the picture printed by the pictureprinting unit in case the picture data is not of ideal picture quality.

On the other hand, if it is found at step S118 that there is no inputposition adjustment unit, the pre-set first digital picture data isrotated at step S22 by the picture calculating unit. At step S23, thepre-set first digital picture data is sliced by the picture calculatingunit to generate modified first digital picture data. At step S24, themodified first digital picture data is displayed and outputted as theprocessing results are displayed and outputted on the display device oron the external monitor. Then, at step S25, the picture qualityimproving processing is executed.

If it is found at step 817 that the picture tilt has not been detected,the program directly moves to step S25 to effect the picture qualityimprovement processing. Then, a picture representing the results of thepicture quality improvement processing on the displayed picture and theprinted picture shown in FIG. 44 is displayed at step S26 as shown inFIG. 47. Next, at step S27, it is verified whether or not a command forprinting will be issued.

If no command for printing is issued, it is verified whether or not thecommand for executing various processing operations is to be issued.That is, it is verified at step S28 whether or not the processing A isto be executed and, if such command is issued, inputting of the variableparameter on the processing A is prompted at step S29. If the variableparameter is inputted, the processing A is executed. At step S3 1, thepicture representing the results of execution of the processing A iscorrected based on the setting of the display outputting characteristicsand setting of the printing characteristics as corrected by thecharacteristics correction unit. The resulting corrected picture isdisplayed on the picture display outputting unit. The displayed pictureis of the visually equivalent picture quality as the printed picture. Ifno inputting is made despite the fact that the inputting of the variableparameter on the processing A is prompted at step S29, the program againawaits the inputting of the variable parameter.

In the absence of the command for executing the processing A at stepS28, it is verified at step S32 whether or not the processing B is to becarried out. If a corresponding command is issued, the inputting of thevariable parameter on the processing B is prompted at step S33. If thevariable parameter is inputted, the processing B is executed at stepS34. The picture from the processing B is corrected at step S35 based onthe setting of-the display output characteristics and on the setting ofthe printing characteristics as corrected by the characteristicscorrection unit. The corrected picture is displayed on the picturedisplay outputting unit. The display picture is of the visuallyequivalent picture quality as the picture printed by the pictureprinting unit. If there is no inputting in case the inputting of thevariable parameter on the processing B at step S33 is prompted, theprogram awaits the inputting of the variable parameter on the processingB.

The same holds for other processing tasks. It is finally verified atstep S36 whether or not the processing X is to be executed. If suchcommand is made, the inputting of the variable parameter concerning theprocessing X is prompted at step S37. If the inputting of the variableparameter is issued, the processing X is executed at step S38. At stepS39, a picture representing the results of execution of the processing Xis corrected based on the setting of the display output characteristicsand the setting of the printing characteristics as corrected by thecharacteristics correction unit. The corrected picture is displayed onthe picture display outputting unit. The displayed picture is of thevisually equivalent picture quality as the picture printed by thepicture printing unit. If there is no inputting of the variableparameter on the processing X prompted at step S37, the program awaitsthe inputting of the variable parameter concerning the processing X.

It is then verified whether or not a command for printing, a command forstarting the processing A, a command for starting the processing B, acommand for starting the processing X will be issued sequentially.

It is again verified at step S27 whether or not a command for printingof the picture data selected or processed as described above will beissued. If plural sorts of the processing are executed, the operation ofreturning the picture data, on which the processing A has been executed,not issuing a print command at step S27, not issuing a start command forthe processing A at step S28, advancing the program to step S32 toexecute the processing B directly, and returning the picture data, onwhich has been executed the processing B, is executed sequentially. Atthe time point when the totality of the processings has come to a close,the printing command is issued.

In the respective steps of the steps S27 to S39, the operation differsdepending on whether it is the automatic printing or the processing ofediting, working or correction that has been commanded at step S13. Thatis, if a command for executing automatic printing is issued at step S13,commands for executing the respective processings required at steps S28,S32 and S36 are automatically issued. Also, the setting of optimumparameters is automatically made at steps S29, S33 and S27. After theexecution of the required processings, a command for printing isautomatically issued at step S27. If a command is issued at step S13 forexecuting the processing such as editing, working or correction, theabove-mentioned steps are executed on the basis of user commands insteadof being executed automatically.

If it is found at step S27 that a command for executing the printing isissued, or a command for automatic printing is issued at step SI 3,picture data correction of converting or correcting the picture forprinting to a preferred reproduction color is executed at step S40 ofFIG. 48. Then, at steps S41 and S42, print outputting processing andprinting are executed, respectively, to form a printed picture. At stepS43, it is verified whether or not there is selected the picture dataprinted next. If it is verified that the next picture data has not beenselected, the processing menu is again displayed at step S2 shown inFIG. 45 to repeat the above-mentioned respective steps. If it isverified that the next picture data has been selected, the programreverts to step S14 in FIG. 45 to repeat the processing as from thereading of the picture data in question. In the above-describedembodiment, it is verified by the picture verification unit whether ornot the pre-set first digital picture data is present in a specifiedrange. If the pre-set first digital picture data is present in thespecified range, the pre-set picture contents are modified to bearranged in the prescribed region without executing the processing ofgenerating the re-arranged first digital picture data. If thisprocessing is to be executed, it is preferably executed after a sequenceof operations of correcting the picture for tilt.

Thus, in the present printer device, a sequence of operations areexecuted easily, while the handling is facilitated. Since the operationsare executed by the same processing without regard to the type of thepicture inputting means, the user is not perplexed at to the operationalsequence.

While the present invention has been described in reference to preferredembodiments thereof, it is understood that these embodiments are merelyexemplary and that one skilled in the art can make many changes to thedisclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A printing system comprising: an image verifying unit for determiningwhether or not predetermined image contents of digital image data areprovided in a specified range of said digital image data; an imagerearranging unit for rearranging the digital image data by controllingthe predetermined image contents provided in the specified range so asto be comprised within a prescribed region; and a printing unit forprinting an image corresponding to said rearranged digital image data ona recording medium, wherein said printing unit performs display settingscorrections responsive to printing settings corrections, which allowsthe printing of said image to have an equivalent visual picture quality.2. The printing system according to claim 1 wherein the controllingmethod includes at least one of: a processing operation of slicing aportion of the predetermined digital image data; a processing operationof enlarging the predetermined digital image data; and a processingoperation of deforming the predetermined digital image data.